Feeling a bit bored by the oh-so-blasé shopping on East University Boulevard or at La Encantada? Well, this weekend you’ll have the chance to shop for some more non-traditional fare while supporting your local community at the same time.

Friday through Sunday, the Tucson Museum of Art will be sponsoring the 16th Annual Spring Artisan Fair, which features original work in a variety of mediums, including glass art, pottery, jewelry, wood, metal, leather, photography, furniture, textiles and watercolor. Approximately 120 artists will display and sell their creations, all of whom were handpicked by John McNulty, manager of the Tucson Museum of Art store. Most of the artists hail from Arizona and New Mexico, said Meredith Hayes, director of public relations and marketing for the museum.

“”The fair is a great way for those who may be unfamiliar with the museum to come down, walk around, do a little shopping and visit the different exhibitions,”” Hayes said.

Aside from the eclectic shopping offered, the fair will also feature live music provided by Tucson Kitchen Musicians and a beer garden, courtesy of Little Guy Distributing, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, in the courtyard of La Casa Cordova.

“”It’s a great way to spend an afternoon,”” Hayes said. “”And the weather will be perfect too.””

Fairgoers will also be granted free admission to the museum and the chance to view the exhibit, “”Changing Hands: Art without Reservation 2: Contemporary Native North American Art from the West, Northwest and Pacific.””

“”It (the exhibit) represents about 150 artists mostly from the plains, plateau, Northwest pacific, including Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, who use traditional materials in non-traditional ways,”” Hayes said.

The artisan fair benefits the Museum, and the many community and educational programs it provides every year, Hayes said.

Hayes said she expects approximately 5,000 to 6,000 people to attend.

“”Everyone loves to shop, right?”” Hayes said. “”People can wander through the beautiful courtyards, find that perfect treasure for themselves or someone else, relax in the beer garden, have some lunch, listen to local bands, cool off in the galleries and enjoy western, contemporary and Latin American art – why wouldn’t you want to come down?””

The fair will be held tomorrow through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Avenue. Admission is free.