In 1993, Jonathan and Kathleen Wright began to notice evidence of fairies in their Ann Arbor home. The first sighting was of a miniature door in one of their baseboards, followed later by similar doors in the fireplace surround and in the kitchen. By 2005, the fairy doors were appearing in downtown Ann Arbor, first at Sweetwaters café and then at the Peaceable Kingdom shop, and several other sites. As a certified fairyologist, Jonathan began documenting this phenomenon in earnest. He quickly discovered that “imagination is the key to the fairy doors.” This tour goes in search of the doors, domains, and stories of the secretive fairy creatures inhabiting downtown Ann Arbor. Attendees should gather at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 123 West Washington Street. Jonathan will guide you to some of the original doors and share their history, as well as that of the variants (goblin doors) they produced. Be prepared to walk about a half mile and to be delighted with your discoveries.
Please note: This is an in-person, off-site field trip. Enrollment is limited to 12 attendees.
Jonathan B. Wright has studied graphic design, architecture, and illustration. He teaches graphic design technologies and has considerable expertise in installation art (e.g., fairy doors). He is the author and illustrator of Who’s Behind the Fairy Doors? (Urban Fairies Operations, LLC, 2007). Kathleen Wright is a teacher of young children, a writer, and professional storyteller. All of this comes together to suss out the meaning of the fairy doors and the tales they have to tell.