Talbot Street Art Fair

We enjoyed a beautiful day at the Talbot Street Art Fair today! There were so many booths. Lots of different types of art and media. Booths did not feel repetitive, which can sometimes happen at art fairs. There was plenty of street parking! We even found a spot in the shade, which was great because it was hot today!I expected it would be very crowded but it was actually not too bad. Lots of people, but never found it crowded or hard to love through booths.The food and music set-ups were planned out very well. There were places to eat in the shade. There was also a great mix of vendors. So happy to be back at this festival this year!

Always worth a visit! I would recommend early as parking is a challenge. Most lots charge at least $10. Also it's either really hot or raining. Welcome to In. This weekend was really hot but it's a shady street if you need out of the sun. I'm always impressed with the creativity of the artists. Photography, pottery, jewelry, paintings and more. There is also live music and plenty of food vendors. I may have purchased a few bracelets and a blueberry lemonade. Makes for a fun day.

Come every year and this year didn't disappoint! Glad the weather held out for today, with the storms yesterday. Hope all vendors had a successful trip to Indianapolis!

The Talbot Street Art Fair is a can't-miss Indianapolis event! There are tons of vendors, and this is the largest free entry juried art fair (meaning artists have to apply to sell at the fair) in the Indianapolis area. There is free street parking in the neighborhood, but this gets busy so be prepared to walk a bit! There are also food stands and even a beer garden if you want to relax and enjoy the afternoon. Check it out this weekend!

This is the largest art fair in Central Indiana from what I can tell. And it's free. It's larger than the Broad Ripple Art Fair (which is not free) and the Carmel International Art Festival.There's a good selection of quality art, and most of it is very affordable. Artists come from all over the US to show their unique works.I don't get the criticism of other reviewers. Yes, it would be nice if there were better food options instead of State Fair like food trailers. Yes, it would be nice if there were music, but it's ultimately about the art.If this isn't the best and biggest free art fair in Central Indiana, someone tell me which one is, because I will go.

3.5 Stars...here's why:I spent an entire afternoon strolling up and down Talbot Street, and I was impressed by the artists who were there as well as the variety of mediums that were for sale. I bought art and also had henna done on my hands, which I thought was pretty cool too. I had a lovely afternoon at the Talbot Street Art Fair. However, I do have two critiques:(01) Prior to coming, I checked their website to see if pets were allowed, but I saw nothing. I brought my dachshund in tow, but when we arrived, there was a wishy-washy sign that discouraged you from bringing your dog, yet I saw people with their dogs all around. I was confused: why no definite answer? Now, my puppy did no harm at the art fair, and I didn't feel as if her presence was a big deal for the fair-goers. In fact, many people asked to pet her, and one of the artisans even held her while I chose and purchased a piece from him. Still, I think the organizers should make up their mind about this specific issue in order to prevent confusion.(02) Nicey Treat was there, which was awesome and refreshing on a warm, sunny day, but why not bring in some more food trucks? It's not like Indianapolis has a shortage of them! With an art fair that is so anticipated and popular, I would have loved to see more than Pineapple Delight and popcorn. Save that for the State Fair. Besides, food is art. Showcase it with some tasty stuff!Will I come back next year? Yes. Will I bring my Dachshund? Most likely, if the organizers can make up their minds.

I really like the Talbot Street Art Fair. It focuses on bringing lots of vendors (around 270 booths) to a central location bearing items that are different from the typical online buying offerings. Because it is offered on the weekend, there are a number of local businesses that allow their parking lots to be used for only $5, so you don't spend a lot of time just getting to the fair from your car. Since the fair is free, you can even take a break and haul some of your findings back to your car so you don't have to carry them around with you when the place gets crowded.I also like that I don't have to pay an admission charge to pay for "entertainment" and food/beverage vendors to come that I may not have any interest in. That leaves more money to consider using towards an actual purchase.The fair is arranged between 16th and 20th Streets on Talbot (a half block east of Pennsylvania St.) I like that you can start at one point and just focus on one side and the flow of the fair will take you to every booth without having to browse both sides at once. There are a couple "spurs" with food and restrooms and additional vendors. They even have ATM machines for folks who prefer to use cash instead of their credit cards for purchases.There are numerous examples of vendors. The booths consists of eleven categories: 2D art, 2-D mixed Media, 3-D mixed media, Clay, Fiber, Glass, Metal, Jewelry, Photography, Sculpture, and Wood.The fair is an annual event that is usually the third weekend of June.Review #322

This is the best art fair in Indianapolis. The reason? It's FREE. The other art fairs reserve park space and charge admission. Talbot Street is free on both days (Saturday and Sunday) and has a comparable (if not better) quality of artistry. An added bonus (for me) is that I can walk here and not worry about finding parking.What's also unique about this fair is that all the homeowners along Talbot Street (and the cross streets were some of the artists' booths are located -- don't miss them) have given up access and parking on their street to create the space for the event. They make the best of the situation by throwing garden parties for their friends and family and watch the throngs of people go by.

A bit steamy today, but a great day for a walk thru the various artist's displays. Quite a variety, as always, and top quality as well. Perhaps my favorite local fair next to Penrod.

Yep, it's an art fair.It's a testament to the Talbot Street's leadership that it has endured for so long, even at a point when the surrounding neighborhood Herron-Morton Place was among the most impoverished and crime ridden in the city. By many suburbanites' standards, it probably still is a scary nabe, but that hasn't been enough to deter them from coming out each June for a sprawling array of vendors amidst the tree-lined streets and increasingly renovated Victorians.That said, I think Talbot Street could use a shot in the arm. It has become a staid affair, comfy in its predictability. Some of the potential improvements would no doubt require reaching some agreements with the neighbors, but it could make it more of a premier event rather than just a pleasant annual routine. For example, what about live music? Talbot Street is so respectable you almost feel like you have to talk to your friends in hushed voices while you're there. Sure, a loud electric band might be invasive, so why not an acoustic performer or two perched on either end? What about a few more activities for children? Or (and this may not be compatible with the previous suggestion) what about introducing a cover charge and/or selling a modest array of alcoholic drinks?Talbot will most likely continue to flourish, and it is rated highly among Midwestern art fairs for its array and quantity of purveyors. However, if the rich suburb of Carmel attempted a similar initiative, it would probably decimate Talbot in a matter of a couple years, just because of the suburban clientele in a safer environment. Talbot simply lacks a certain zing that could attract casual passers-by interested in the art fair experience rather than simply those who come with serious interest in making a purchase. Sure, the latter of these two customer types is the more desirable (the one with $$$ to burn), but those passive observers may very well pull out their credit cards too, if the entire package came with a shinier bow.