Alley Art Festival to celebrate its 16th and final year Saturday in downtown Aurora

Photo by J Weber

Alley Art Festival in Aurora will celebrate its 16th and final year from noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 29. 

 

The free arts festival will bring nearly 100 local artists to downtown Aurora to showcase their handmade art. 

"Alley Art Fest has been a great way to meet artists and other people in the community," said longtime participating artist Meghan Schmid of Montgomery.

The popular, grassroots art festival will be staged on both pedestrian-friendly Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street. 

 

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Downer Place will be closed to traffic east of Stolp Avenue.

“There will be an incredible lineup of talented local artists concentrated in one place for one afternoon," festival director Marissa Amoni said. "It’s not to be missed and it will be the last one." 

The annual festival will feature locally made art, jewelry, pottery, handmade goods, and more along with live music and food vendors. 

Singer-songwriter Lisa P. Medina will perform with cellist Adela Skowronski at noon in the Mundy Park pavilion off of Water Street Mall adjacent to The Venue. Belly dance troupes will perform at 2 p.m. 

 

Americana roots band Tank and the Beez will perform at 3 p.m. 

Aerialist Beth Stavros will present the captivating art of aerial sling until 3:30 p.m. on Downer Place. Aurora Film Society and Oswego High School’s Department of Fine Arts will also be set up on Downer Place. 

Strawberries BBQ, Polly Ann Cakes, Kool Kat Ice Cream, The Lovely Lemon, and Snow Cone Sisters will be available for purchase on Downer Place across from City Hall. 

Founded in 2010 by Amoni, Jenn Byrne, Lisa Gloria and Nate Miller, the festival exclusively showcases local artists residing within 30 miles of Aurora. 

 

Photo by J Weber

 

“It’s been a great, long run," Amoni said. "Alley Art Festival has become a community of artists, and that won’t end. I’m glad we can celebrate and honor what we’ve grown,” said. She included an explanation of the event's retirement on the website, she added.

For more information, including a list of participating artists, go to alleyartaurora.com.