It’s all kinds of art, slightly off the beaten path.
More than 60 artists will be showing and selling their wares at the ninth-annual Alley Art Festival noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Water Street Mall in Aurora.
“Alley Art Festival is full of art, music and spectacle,” said Marissa Amoni, manager for Aurora Downtown, which sponsors the event along with the city of Aurora. “It’s a festival that is welcoming to everyone, and it’s very grassroots in its scope.”
Festival-goers can meet and chat with the artists and shop their unique works on display.
“It’s is a fun, colorful festival that creates excitement around the local arts community,” Amoni said. “It’s a way for the community to support and encourage local artists. It’s an event that inspires others.”
If you think this event is only for snobby art aficionados, you’re in the wrong place.
“It’s not a highly curated, high-brow arts festival,” Amoni explained. “It’s extremely unique in that a professional photographer might be next to the booth of a 13-year-old anime artist. It’s more about the love of doing art and creating something that someone might enjoy.”
With both new and returning artists, with creations big and small, there’s something for everyone.
“It’s loosely curated to allow a variety of skill levels in a wide array of media,” Amoni said. “There will be painters, comic-book artists, ceramicists, graphic designers, wood workers, jewelers and a bow-tie maker.”
In addition to all the art, there’s plenty of other entertainment to be had.
“It’s so fun for families, that many make a day of it,” Amoni said. “We’ll have The PiEproject Foundation joining us for yoga and art. Paramount School of the Arts will be heading a craft table.”
Other participants include Fox Valley Robotics, Aurora 88s and The Venue.
Live music starts at noon on the new Agnes Mundy Park stage with Zach Goforth, followed by Town Band at 3 p.m. and headliner August West (a Grateful Dead tribute band) at 4 p.m.
And don’t forget the belly dancing at 2 p.m.
“Eastern Fire Belly Dance is always popular,” Amoni adds.
Hungry or thirsty? Food vendors include Harvey’s Fire Box, Modest Coffee, Kona Ice and Holy Pierogi.
There’s free parking at the surface lots at Benton and Water Streets.
The festival debuted back in 2010.
“The idea came from an art student pitching the idea to have an art festival along Water Street Mall,” said Amoni, who is one of the festival’s founders along with Jen Evans, Lisa Gloria and Nathan Miller. “The goal of the festival is to provide an outlet for local artists to show and sell their work as well as meet the community and for the community to meet and support local artists.”
Alley Art Festival
When: noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 31
Where: Water Street Mall, 13 Water St., Aurora
Admission: free
Information: alleyartaurora.com
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
