Lewiston Art Festival August 9-10

MEDIA RELEASE: July 16, 2008
FROM: Lewiston Council on the Arts 716-754-0166
enicklas@artcouncil.org>
www.artcouncil.org <http://www.artcouncil.org>

RE: What's NEW at the 42nd Annual Lewiston Art Festival?

(Lewiston) Lewiston’s reputation as a thriving arts community and cultural epicenter is due in no small part to the Lewiston Art Festival. Now in it’s 42nd year, the festival has been named “Top Cultural Destinations,” First Sunday Magazine; “Summer Festival Showcase Event,” Bi-National Niagara Tourism Alliance; and “Top 100 Attractions Along the Seaway Trail,” by Journey Magazine.

On August 9 & 10 from 10 am to 6 pm , the prestigious event will showcase the work of more than 200 professional and student artists from across the U.S. and Southern Ontario in various media including; painting (acrylic, watercolor & oils), drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, wood, fiber, graphic arts and jewelry. “Modern” Art Awards, sponsored by Modern Corporation, totaling more than $5,000, will be awarded in 8 categories.

Our expansion into Academy Park continues with the addition of delicious new food vendors in a larger food court and the Brickyard Beer Tent where you can relax and enjoy a cold one in the festive atmosphere. On Saturday we’ll share the park with the Cataract Cruisers and there’ll be lots of good music scheduled for the Academy Park band shell. Take advantage of the new free shuttle service that will take you from Academy Park to the River with stops all along the way so you don’t miss a thing!

New this year, a more pedestrian-friendly layout will make the popular WNY High School Chalk Walk Competition the centerpiece of Center St. which will close to cars between 4th & 6th streets. On Saturday, watch the chalk fly as teams of talented student artists create spectacular murals depicting their interpretation of this year’s theme, "200 Years of Diversity" to commemorate Niagara County's Bi-Centennial. Ten regional high schools are scheduled to compete for “Arts Are Key” awards, generously sponsored by KeyBank. You get to be the judge for the People’s Choice Award, so be sure to vote for your favorite mural. Judging takes place about 4:00 PM. Chalkwalk sponsors include KeyBank and Mount St. Mary's Hospital.

The focus on youth continues on College Alley where the work of high school and college students will be featured in its new 5th St. location. On Sunday, you can watch artists at work as students from Mickey’s Art Works paint and exhibit their work throughout the day.

There will be lots of opportunities for audience participation when kids of all ages are invited to make their very own fish art at the ArtZone, a hands-on space sponsored by First Niagara Bank and located on the corner of 5th and Center Streets. On Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University hosts a fish windsock “Make & Take” activity.

A must-see for everyone at the festival? Demonstrations by world class chainsaw carvers. With engines screaming and sawdust streaming, two Masters of the Chainsaw will join us for weekend residencies, creating masterpieces before your very eyes. Don’t miss Rick Pratt in the Lewiston Courtyard and a very special “Chainsaw Chick” who will be carving in Academy Park. This is ‘performance art’ at its best!

There’ll something fishy going on all weekend... Two Soul Salmon sculptures done by Lewiston Porter art students will be unveiled and on display during the weekend. The first one, a male salmon, was covered with American and Canadian pennies as a reminder of our shared river border. The second salmon, a female, is embellished with coins from around the world that were donated by the community. This dramatic pair will be sited together at Artpark after the art festival

Don’t forget to stop by the TWO Information Booths, (one at Key Bank and the other up near Academy Park) and pick up this years colorful Art Festival t-shirt which features "La Gytara Mariposa" (the Butterfly Guitar) by artist, Hugo Rodriguez. “Lewiston Landmarks” limited edition print by Michael LaDuca will also be available. The framed prints are $225. As always, street musicians and performers are welcome to add their festive ambiance to the show.



Art Festival Entertainment
Saturday, August 9

Academy Park
Cataract Cruisers
11:00 - 5:00 PM Masters of the Chainsaw Chick, Alicia Bull
Hennepin Park Gazebo
Dale Campbell Host
12:00 Trill Seekers
1:00 Rainbow Singers
2:00 Jena Abati
4:00 Jena Abati
Apple Granny’s Restaurant
12:00 - 4:00 “Squeezbox” Johnny
Frontier House
1:00 Niagara Experience Players
Lewiston Courtyard
Chainsaw Carver (Rick Pratt)

Art Festival Entertainment
Sunday, August 10

Academy Park
11:00 - 12:30 Lakeside Blues Band
1:00 - 5:00 Riddim Posse (Reggae).....
11:00 - 5:00 Masters of the Chainsaw Chick, Alicia Bull
Hennepin Park Gazebo
Dale Campbell Host
12:00 - 2:00 Babik
2:00 - 4:00 Bergholtz German Band
4:15 - Thymelass
Frontier House
2:00 Ilya’s Belly Dance Studio
4:00 Ilya’s
1:00 Hot Country Liners
Lewiston Courtyard
Chainsaw Carver (Rick Pratt)