Patrons are able to view art galleries under the artists tab for what would have displayed at the actual festival. The site also has links to artists' websites where patrons can purchase art to be delivered to their homes. The website will be updated weekly to showcase different artists.

In addition to the online gallery for the next month, the ELAF will be hosting a full day of festivities on May 16 via Facebook Live. Some of these offerings include musical performances, art demonstrations, art awards and more, according to the April 10 press release. 

“I am just hoping that people can take a minute to step outside of their houses for a moment — mentally — and enjoy the day,” Heather Majano, Art Festival and Arts Initiative Coordinator for the City of East Lansing, said. 

Initially, a press release on April 3 announced the festival was going be canceled with no virtual component, but then organizers changed their minds.

“City leadership and myself thought that it was still important to support the artists who would have been in our downtown exhibiting their art,” Majano said.

For artists scheduled to participate in art fairs like the East Lansing Art Festival, there is a new uncertainty about how their personal businesses will survive. Amy Ferguson, owner of Printer and Press, is one of the many artists affected by such cancellations.

Ferguson said via email that while she is in total support of social distancing and going virtual for the 2020 ELAF, it will still have drastic effects on her business.

“I make 85% of my income at art fairs throughout the year,” Ferguson said.

In addition to art fairs going virtual or being canceled, art galleries and art stores have been closed as they are not considered essential businesses.

“I never thought that I could be in this situation, it's heartbreaking on so many levels I can’t describe,” Ferguson said. 

Despite the stress on the art community, Ferguson does still have hope that going virtual can be successful.

“Nothing compares to being in your booth, connecting with customers in person about your art," Ferguson said. "But after reading more about how it will work, I think it is a really cool idea. ... If they can get enough people to watch the live event on Facebook, I think it could benefit a lot of artists."