By Barbara Arnstein
The exciting, fun-filled, colorful, Springville Art Crawl is almost here! Every June, for a few hours, shops and businesses in Springville, NY also serve as art galleries displaying interesting works of art by talented local artists. (This year, sixty artists will be participating in the juried show.) In addition, there are many intriguing sights to see (such as parade floats and pop-ups), songs to hear (there’s lots of live music!) and activities to do (kids’ activities, etc.). This year it takes place on June 3rd, with all kinds of enjoyment stretching from 4:30pm-11pm. In short: it offers a great time for the whole family, it’s full of surprises, and it’s free.
The fun begins at 4:30pm with the Community Parade down Main Street (which is always greeted with enthusiasm by throngs of people lining the sidewalks). The Art Crawl itself starts at 5pm, when people begin strolling from store to store, admiring and buying art. The artistic mediums include: photography, watercolor paintings, pottery, carved wooden masks, fiber arts and monotypes. Fans of Wendel’s chicken can enjoy it at the Crawl. At 7:30pm, it’s time for the “After-Party”, with music, refreshments, and the opening night of an exhibit at the Springville Center for the Arts. At the “After-Party”, a cash prize of $250 will be awarded to the artist who wins the Juror Prize, and the winner of the Community Vote Prize will receive $150. The exhibit will be the first since the gallery renovations were completed, and will focus on the history of the building and the construction progress. (The theatre section of the building is still being renovated).
“Cool things happening this year at Art Crawl include: a glass-blowing demonstration by Tom Miltello, the marble man, a leather-working demonstration by Cliff Redeye, a
SPARK tent with activities for kids, a poetry workshop, and a musical petting zoo”, said Cassandra Cross, the Program Coordinator. “There will also be goats from ‘Let’s Goat Buffalo’, chalk art on Main Street, an aerialist, theater pop-ups by our interns and more.” 
“The live music will include a jam session with CreekBend, Captain Tom and his Hooligans, the Springville Jazz Orchestra, and multiple other musicians.”, Ms. Cross continued. “Notable parade participants include Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Trevett Tree Farm, the High School marching band and multiple antique cars and tractors.” There may also be some artists on a float.
Four of my own fine art photos will be displayed on walls in businesses on Main Street during the Art Crawl. The first, “Rocks and Rippling” highlights the beauty of some small rocks of different colors, on the beach at Evangola State Park in Angola, NY. “Serenity at Sunset”, which I took on the beach at Woodlawn Beach State Park in Blasdell, NY, includes seagulls, light clouds in a pastel sky and the water. I took both of the other two at Glen Park in Williamsville, NY: “Shining Splash” is a close-up of the falls themselves, while “Serenity Times Two”, includes a weeping willow tree and a bench reflected in the pond in front of them.
Visit the Artisan Marketplace, located in the brick alley next to the Red Building at 31 East Main Street, and you might find the perfect artistic complement for your decor