It’s all in the location: Popular Johnson County art fair thrives at this center
.jpg "The Lenexa Art Fair is returning Saturday to the Lenexa Civic Campus. The fair is now in its 11th year and will include a variety of activities as well as the work of 50 fine artists.")
When the Lenexa Art Fair began in 2014, the art practically stood alone.
The art remains the focus, but now the fair is surrounded by places where people can eat, read, swim and sleep. And the development of the community hub helps attract an impressive number of art enthusiasts.
In fact, the number of art fair attendees has almost quadrupled since its beginning.
The Lenexa Art Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lenexa civic campus, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway. The juried art fair will feature about 50 fine artists.
Marci Blank remembers the fair’s humble start.
Blank, a Lenexa resident, owns Th’Red Head, which features designs of handmade clothing and hand-dyed yarns. She has shown at the Lenexa Art Fair nearly every year.
“The location is really good,” Blank said. “It’s practically in my backyard; what’s not to like?”
Blank said the fair offers great support to artists. For example, fair organizers provide and set up the tents artists need to display their creations.
“It’s really nice to be able to focus on the art,” Blank said.
Blank said she’s noticed the number of people attending the fair has grown as the Lenexa civic campus has developed.
In fact, the estimated number attendees has grown from about 3,500 in its first year to 11,000 last year.
The art fair got its start in nearby Central Green Park, in an area with little commerce, said Susanne Neely, recreation supervisor for the city of Lenexa.
“We always knew that eventually we would have the campus,” Neely said. “There is so much vibrancy in this space because of all of the activities.”
This year, the fair is celebrating all things arts. It will include the addition of performances by small ensembles from the Lenexa Community Orchestra.
“It’s just another way to experience art,” Neely said. “It’s a nice additional experience.”
Also new this year is story time being presented by the Johnson County Library, which operates its Lenexa branch in the city center. The fair will also draw families with other children’s activities, including face painting, sidewalk chalk, and an art tent where kids can create their own art.
Live jazz music will be performed throughout the day.
For more information, go here.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.