Edina, Minn. (March 28, 2018) --- The Edina Art Fair announces that Karina Llergo of Northbrook, Ill. has been named the 2018 Featured Artist. She and her winning creation, a painting entitled “Break Through,” will be featured on all promotional materials for this year’s Edina Art Fair up to and throughout the event. The 2018 Edina Art Fair will be held June 1 – 3 in the 50th & France neighborhood of Edina, Minn.

This year, the organizers of the Edina Art Fair will turn its acronym (EAF) into a powerful theme: Empowering Artistic Females. Not only does this theme provide an opportunity to showcase the creativity of the women artists in the Fair, it also puts a spotlight on the 70 female business owners in the 50th & France business district.

“Karina Llergo and her piece truly capture the movement and strength of women,” says 50th & France Business Association Executive Director Rachel Thelemann. ”She and her piece fit in perfectly with this year’s female focus.”

"It is a real honor to be selected as the featured artist for the Edina Art Fair, especially given the talented artists that partake each year,” says Llergo, a participant in the event for five years. “The Edina Art Fair has always been one of my favorites. The beautiful setting, the impeccable organization, and the amazing patrons make it an unforgettable experience. I look forward to attending this year, and for many years to come."

Becoming the Featured Artist for the Edina Art Fair has been a launching pad of sorts for several local female artists, including:

• Ashley (Barlow) Mary (2014): has collaborated with such brands as Starbucks, West Elm and Anthropologie.
• Cait Courneya (2016) is known for her whimsical fashion illustrations and her bold, brush-stroke paintings and prints that are inspired by nature. She also designed a brand of brush-stroked patterned cosmetic bags for Target. She recently debuted her “Cait Courneya X Gray Home + Lifestyle” collection at Home Goods. (caitcourneya.com)

• Kristi Abbott (2015) will host a collaborative exhibition entitled “7 Warrior Women” at March 30 – April 20 at Gamut Gallery, (717 South 10th Street, Minneapolis). Abbott led a group of local artists to create a collection of works that center around seven imagined and embodied figures—women from each of the Earth’s seven continents. She also created the artwork for the 2018 Minnesota State Fair poster. (MadeByKristi.com)

Since its start in 1966, the Edina Art Fair has since grown to feature over 300 artists from around the world and host 250,000 visitors. Notoriously the first art fair of the year, the event is rated as one of the top 50 art festivals in the nation and has received accolades from national outlets.

Booths upon booths of ceramics, jewelry, glass, photography, wood carvings, mixed media, 2D pieces, fine art, wearables and sculptures will delight art enthusiasts along France Avenue
and 50th Street.

Area restaurants such as Carbone’s Pizzeria, D’Amico & Sons, Old Southern BBQ, and Red Cow will provide house specialties. Edina Grill Craft Beer Garden, Edina Liquor Wine Garden

and food vendors will be in the Lunds + Byerly’s parking lot. Red Cow Craft Beer Garden will be its on parking lot along with food vendors on East 50th Street in front of Red Cow.

Getting to the Edina Art Fair is easy. A free shuttle runs daily from Southdale Shopping Center to the Edina Art Fair. Free parking is available in the three parking ramps in the 50th & France area. Bike corrals are also provided.

The Edina Art Fair is hosted by the 50th & France Business and Professional Association. With more than 175 distinct shops and boutiques, over 20 restaurants, casual cafes and coffee shops, the quaint streets of 50th and France are the perfect site for a summertime stroll.

For more information on the Edina Art Fair, please visit EdinaArtfFair.com or call 952-922-1524.
Contact: Molly Mulvehill Steinke, Nemer Fieger, 612-309-1677

Rachel Thelemann, 50th & France Association, 952-922-1524