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Art
Festival takes over Center Street this weekend Preview by Joshua
Maloni
The expression “Something for everyone” has become cliché to the point of losing all meaning. If those words still had weight, then one could easily say the 42nd annual Lewiston Art Festival has, well you know. Who else but the Lewiston Council on the Arts could bring together the finest in oil colors, chain saw sculptures, Gypsy jazz and barbecue ribs? On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10, the Village of Lewiston will host all of the above, along with 200 artists across Center Street, two giant “Soul Salmon” on South Fifth Street, a food court and a PT Cruiser car show at Academy Park. The Art Festival has “improved, expanded and become more interesting. And we’re drawing more people,” Lewiston Mayor Richard Soluri said. He noted the quality of artists in attendance, combined with the village’s beauty, makes for a winning weekend. The highlight of the festival is the Western New York Chalk Walk Competition. Each year, the educational contest pits teenagers from several area high schools against one another in a popular chalk-off. The result is large, colorful murals depicting a culturally or historically significant scene. “The Chalk Walk is the centerpiece of the Art Festival,” LCA Artistic Director Eva Nicklas said. “It’s so vibrant and showy. I’d have to say spectacular.” This year’s theme is “200 Years of Cultural Diversity in Niagara County.” It was selected to pay homage to the county’s bicentennial. Judging will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday. “It’s a visible way to show what’s going on regionally and in our community,” Nicklas said. The event, which was traditionally held next to KeyBank on South Fifth Street, is moving in front of DiCamillo’s Bakery on Center Street. Earlier this year, the Village Board granted the LCA permission to close Center Street from Fourth to Sixth streets. This means artists will be on the road, not crammed outside of storefronts, allowing visitors more walking space. The Chalk Walk will be situated on Center and South Sixth streets, while the aptly named College Alley will slide over to the corners of north and south Fifth Street. The “Soul Salmon,” large metal fish decorated with coins by Lewiston-Porter art students, will join the high school and college-age artists on South Fifth Street. As it has done in years past, the Art Festival will stretch from Academy Park to Fourth Street. To accommodate artists on both ends, as well as pedestrians, the LCA is offering trolley service. Vans will pick up passengers by Tops and on Water Street. “We want to do whatever we can to make it good for everyone,” Nicklas said. Speaking of the east end of Center Street, “Academy Park is going to be hopping this year,” Nicklas said. On Saturday, the Cataract Cruisers will be out in full force. The LCA expects to attract a different audience to that facet of the Art Festival. On Sunday, the field will host live music with Riddim Posse.
Also, the “Chainsaw Chick,” Alicia Charlton, will be carving works of art in Academy Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Charlton, a member of the “Masters of the Chainsaw” group, is “beautiful, smart and talented,” Nicklas said. The Art Festival will feature live music at the Hennepin Park Gazebo on Center and South Fourth streets. The Trill Seekers, the Rainbow Singers and Jena Abati perform Saturday, while the Bergholz German Band and Thymeless take the stage on Sunday. The musical headliner is Babik, performing Gypsy jazz from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Niagara Experience Players will be on the sidewalk outside of the Frontier House at 1 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, passersby can watch students from Ilya’s Belly Dance Studio at 2 and 4 p.m. at the same location. “Squeezebox” Johnny will be at Apple Granny’s Restaurant from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, and chain saw artist Rick Pratt will demonstrate his work both days in the Lewiston Courtyard, between the Little Yellow Chocolate House and the LCA offices. An offshoot of the Art Festival is the first-ever Lewiston Alternative Music Festival, which will take place Saturday along Water Street. From 5 to 10 p.m., Psychedelic Test, Potter’s Field, Black Dog and Spouse will be live in concert in a tent between Water Street Landing and The Silo. The event, a Pryceless Production, costs $3, with proceeds going toward the LCA. For more information, visit www.artcouncil.org or call 754-0166.
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