By Barbara Arnstein
This year, the Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo will be held this weekend, Saturday, June 14th & Sunday, June 15th, between 11am-6pm on both days. The 68th annual event will showcase the artwork of over 350 artists and include over two dozen food vendors. The booths beckoning buyers to browse stretch throughout Delaware Avenue, Franklin Street, Virginia Street and Allen Street. There will be demonstrations of artistic techniques, face painting, live music, and student artwork from the Buffalo Public Schools.
David Lawrence Reade’s Festival booth. Photo/Barbara Arnstein
“We’re excited that we have new artists this year”, said Rita Harrington-Lippman, President of the Allentown Art Festival. “Corning Glass will be demonstrating glass blowing. CEPA Gallery will be in attendance with their photography demonstrations. We have jewelry and pottery artists demonstrating their crafts, also.”
The creative categories of the festival include: Clay, Hard and Soft Creative Crafts, Drawing/Graphics, Glass/Acrylic, Jewelry, Mixed Media. Painting, Photography, and Sculpture. The Clay category includes mug, plates, vases, lamps, and trays. The Hard Creative Crafts include furniture, clocks, belts, mirrors and rugs, while the Soft Creative Crafts include clothes, handbags, hammocks, tunics, and ponchos. One of the best artists in the Drawing/Graphics category is Robin Frisella, who creates still lifes with pastels.
The Glass/Acrylic category includes decorative items such as suncatchers, while the Jewelry category includes items made from metal, wood, wire and more. About her steampunk Angel Heart pendant adorned with watch parts, artist Lori Wisniewski commented, “It’s a heavenly yet hardy pendant with celestial charm.” The photographer David Reade will have a booth full of beautiful nature photos. To see more of his work, go to davidlawrencereade.com/david-lawrence-reade-galleries. Photographer David Maynard’s booth will feature pretty photos he’s taken throughout Europe and other scenic spots. Justine Gabreski’s botanical paintings highlight the changes of the seasons.
Browsing at the Allentown Art Festival is a wonderfully enjoyable experience. It’s a cross between shopping at outdoor stores full of imaginative arts and crafts, and strolling through the area’s excellent architecture. Plus, there’s the fun of seeing the very creative fads and fashions worn by some visitors. Shoppers have the rare opportunity to talk to artists about their artwork and how they create it. More reasons to go include: there are items in every price range, the many food trucks offer all kinds of tasty treats and there are always pleasant surprises around every turn! For more information, go to AllentownArtFestival.com or call (716) 768-2000.