Handcrafted art over mass-produced or AI-generated imagery increases appeal and purchase experience
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; 248.260.8466; [email protected]; Shaun Hayes, Executive Director, Paint Creek Center for the Arts; 248.651.4110; [email protected]
Rochester, Mich.—July 7, 2026—In an era of mass-produced, low-quality goods and AI-generated art, original and handcrafted quality works have taken on new importance. Especially for younger generations looking for an escape from AI and “dupes,” art fairs present a unique opportunity for Gen Z and millennials to develop an appreciation for high quality, unique art pieces and perhaps even begin collecting affordable art that moves them, according to Shaun Hayes, Executive Director of the Rochester, Michigan-based Paint Creek Center for the Arts.
“Many young adults do not have art history or art appreciation courses in school, so they are missing some of the foundational elements of art and how and why it comes to be,” Hayes said. “Art fairs offer the chance to speak with an artist in person about their work, learn what drives their passion and artistic pursuits, and see and touch physical products before they buy.”
Hayes, a millennial himself, is considering the topic of younger people purchasing art as PCCA prepares for the 60th year of its annual Art & Apples Festival®, the nonprofit community arts organization’s signature event, which takes place September 11–13, near downtown Rochester. The juried art fair is the only Michigan-based art fair to appear in the top 15 of Sunshine Artist magazine’s listing of the 2025 Top 200 Fine Art & Design Shows as judged by artist profitability. Hayes and his team carefully curate the juried artists to appeal to a variety of attendees seeking high quality, unique art at a range of prices.
Hunter Parsons, another millennial who works at PCCA as marketing and engagement coordinator, and previously worked for the Detroit Institute of Arts, is passionate about expanding art accessibility, including to the next generation of art collectors.
“Purchasing art at an event like the Art & Apples Festival brings another dimension to the collecting experience. It’s acquired through a personal exchange of artist and customer and encourages customers to build a relationship with the artists for years to come if they desire,” Parsons said.
Tips for younger art fair goers looking for affordable art
For young adults who may be in entry level jobs or still paying off college or career training debt, art may seem like a luxury purchase, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider the following tips before attending an art fair:
- Give yourself a reasonable budget for a purchase or purchases. Even $25 is typically enough to buy a small, handcrafted item that also serves as a souvenir of the art fair.
- Purchase something with utility that may grow into a collection. Coffee mugs, for example, are a popular item for purchase that may lead to a collection of unique mugs down the road – or at least another way to make that first cup of coffee in the morning even more special.
- Forgo designer brand purses for handcrafted fabric or leather goods. No need to overspend on mass produced designer bags or clothing when the luxury of owning a handcrafted item that gets regular use is the more affordable option.
- Before attending the art fair, look at the host’s website to see what artists are participating. If contemplating the purchase of a specific type of art, do research on the artists that appeal to you and then visit their booth to make a personal connection.
- Stretching your budget for a larger piece of art? Purchase with intentionality. If looking to purchase large sized art, skip the big-box store and its impersonal, mass-produced décor. Original works purchased at art fairs are great, high-quality investments that embrace self-expression, elevate interior design and serve as a treasured piece rather than a temporary wall filler that is continually being replaced and discarded.
Can’t make it to an art fair? See if the event host has a gift shop that can be accessed year-round.
“Paint Creek Center for the arts has a gift shop stocked only with handcrafted items by Michigan artists,” Hayes said. “We have shoppers who frequent our store regularly in search of wedding, birthday and special occasion gifts. Just as with the Art & Apples Festival, we have beautiful art and handcrafted items for all budgets.”
About Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) is a regional nonprofit art center located in Downtown Rochester. Art & Apples is a project funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. PCCA’s mission is to build on our rich heritage of leading creativity in our community by providing opportunities for all to learn, create, and support creativity by providing opportunities for all to learn, create, experience and appreciate the arts. Learn more at pccart.org.
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