The Uptown Art Fair annually selects a piece of art to commemorate the event. The work is transformed into a poster unveiled prior to the fair and incorporated into promotional materials and merchandise available to the over 375,000 fair attendees. Being named the Uptown Art Fair Commemorative Artist is a coveted honor accompanied by recognition from the public and abundant media exposure.

For the second year in a row, the Uptown Art Fair Steering Committee is hosting a contest to select the commemorative artwork. Artists must create a piece interpreting this year’s theme- “Urban Experiences.” The commemorative print artist is required to tender all ownership and copyrights of the selected image to the Uptown Association.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CONTEST RULES AND APPLICATION. Please contact the UA at 612-823-4581 or email Megan with questions regarding the contest.

Lonnie Broden grew up on a farm near Murdock, MN where she began painting at a young age. She earned a Bachlor of Arts degree in painting from the Uof M – Morris and then went on to Berkeley, where she began her exhibition design career at the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Lonnie has taught exhibit design and environmental graphic design classes at the Uof M and runs her own art and design business – Lonnie Broden Design. She also consults with the Science Museum of MN, after many years of serving as their head of exhibit design.

Lonnie Broden finds inspiration in all kinds of Minnesota setting like rusting machines and peeling paint right next to shiny metal and neon lights. Uptown Fusion is a 2-D mixed media print that combines painting and photography that captures the rustic sign from the historical Uptown Theatre, combined with images of the farmer’s market. It also chronicles the years the fair as been in existence.