'Greening' of Lewiston Art Festival

50th anniversary event this weekend

Lewiston Council on the Arts Executive Director Irene Rykaszewski and Artistic Director Eva Nicklas, alongside Modern Corp. Sales Manager Joe Hickman, recently met with 2^nd District Legislator Rebecca Wydysh and the Niagara County Legislature to express thanks for the governing body's support - and to share information about the "Greening" efforts during the 50th Lewiston Art Festival.

The LCA, which sponsors the Art Festival (Aug. 13-14 on Center Street), will once again continue its efforts to recycle and compost at the event, in partnership with Modern Recycling. Stations throughout the Art Festival will allow festivalgoers to trash, recycle or compost their food waste. "Green Team" volunteers will be on hand to ensure items are going into the correct waste stream. Moreover, food vendors officially associated with the Art Festival are prohibited from using any Styrofoam serviceware.

Last year, 1,840 pounds was composted while 760 pounds of recyclables were diverted from the waste stream.

 

"Green Team" volunteer coordinator Giovanna Markham poses with an "Art Cart" decorated by Thomas P. Asklar's fourth-grade art club class at Country Parkway School.

To emphasize the theme of recycling and reuse this year, students at Lewiston-Porter High School and Country Parkway School in Williamsville have created "Art Carts." They will be on display throughout the Art Festival.

"The influx of tens of thousands of visitors creates a significant environmental impact on our community and a burden on our DPW," Rykaszewski said. "For these two days, we challenge the people and businesses of Lewiston to recognize and participate in this special observance, and encourage everyone to compost and recycle."

Fenna Mandolang of Buffalo Recycling said, "We applaud the Lewiston Council on the Arts for their leadership in promoting green initiatives. Recycling and composting make a difference in ensuring a greener tomorrow, so we all can continue to enjoy the Lewiston Art Festival for the next 50 years."

ClickHERE for more information on this year's Lewiston Art Festival.