9th annual Oliver Street Art Festival set for Saturday, Aug. 3

Project 308 Gallery to host art festival

Press Release

Project 308 Gallery proudly presents the ninth annual Oliver Street Art Festival, set to take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, on Oliver Street between Schenck and Robinson streets in North Tonawanda. The Oliver Street Art festival will feature more than 60 regional artist vendors offering a diverse array of handcrafted items, artwork and vintage wares.

Attendees can enjoy live music, indulge in delicious food from various vendors, and explore other refreshments throughout the day. This vibrant festival is free and open to the public.

Participating vendors work in various media, including painting, photography, crafts and jewelry making.

David and Jessica Moerler, owners of Lotus WoodCrafts, have been participating as artist vendors in the festival since the first year.

“We upcycle and repurpose metal, wood & other materials to create furniture and art pieces,” David said. “We always enjoy being in this festival and we look forward to this year’s event!”

The Oliver Street Art Festival, organized and hosted by the Project 308 Gallery, transforms a block of Oliver Street into a celebratory arts festival that highlights the talents of regional artists and musicians, enriching the neighborhood with arts and culture.

"I am thrilled to host the festival for the ninth year on Oliver Street and I hope the community continues to support the event", said Natalie Brown, organizer of the event and owner of Plak Art Plus and the Project 308 Gallery.

The Project 308 Gallery will serve as the headquarters for the festival. Established in August 2012, the Project 308 Gallery is dedicated to fostering a vibrant arts community by providing a space for local artists to showcase their work and engage with the public. Located at 308 Oliver St., the gallery serves as the cultural hub for the annual Oliver Street Art Festival.

The Project 308 Gallery will feature an art exhibition featuring artwork by Alyssa Capri, a multimedia artist and muralist. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and published internationally. Alyssa is passionate about using art to communicate important messages and to connect with others. Alyssa’s exhibition will be on view at the Project 308 Gallery during the months of August and September.

Photos from the 2023 Oliver Street Art Festival by Jack Zierk, courtesy of Project 308 Gallery.

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The Oliver Street Art Festival is a family-friendly event, making it a perfect outing for art enthusiasts, collectors, artists, musicians and community members of all ages.

Free activities for children, live music and more vendors can be found at The Old Chapel Antique & Artisan Market conveniently located nearby at 172 Robinson St. (the corner of Oliver and Robinson streets). The Old Chapel will host live music by Samuel Tambe Band from noon-3 p.m. The Old Chapel and the Kids Zone will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Our family-friendly venue serves as an extension of the festival by providing free games, a bounce house and other activities for all ages to enjoy,” said Jacob Wankasky, owner of The Old Chapel. “We enjoy partnering with the festival each year as we build the Oliver Street community.”

The Oliver Street Art Festival teams up with local businesses and the Oliver Street Merchants Association to ensure the festival reflects the needs of the community.

“This seasoned and established art festival on Oliver Street is essential to the continued revitalization efforts on the street,” said Gabbie Richard, owner of the Vegan Grocery Store and vice president of the Oliver Street Merchants Association. “The Oliver Street Merchants Association recognizes the contribution that this festival makes to the establishment of the business corridor's positive reputation – and as a business owner on the block, I know that we are always excited to participate in the day. It brings vibrancy to the street and plenty of foot traffic to the sidewalk.”

For those looking to volunteer, participate as a vendor or with general questions about the festival, contact Brown at [email protected] or call 716-523-0068.