It would be fair to call Art on the Street Guelph’s first fair/festival of the summer season.
That’s exactly the flavour it will have, organizers of the annual art and artisan showcase said this week.
This is the 15th year for a fun and teeming event that densely populates Quebec Street with artists and lovers of art. The juried fair will include about 80 vendors this year.
Sponsored by both the Downtown Guelph Business Association and the Guelph Arts Council, it runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be original works of art of all kinds and sizes, loads of unique gifts, and various kinds of entertainment. Expect a pink parasol theme this year.
“No problems,” said Sam Jewell, Downtown Guelph’s events coordinator. “We’ve got an abundance of volunteers, artists, street performers, musicians, and the children’s arts festival is going to be amazing, as usual.”
Art on the Street brings a festival atmosphere to the downtown.
“For us who live and work downtown, it feels like the kick-off to the summer season,” she said. “It’s not just all about the arts, but also about bringing all different ages downtown, creating a European festival-type atmosphere, with people wondering around playing music. It’s about bringing that great scene into a space that is historic and interesting, and letting people have a great perception of downtown when they leave.”
At the heart of the event, she added, is the fact that visitors can actually meet and speak to the artists while enjoying their work. That interaction is important for both artist and viewer of the art, bringing them closer together.
She said feedback from artists suggests the event is good for business. Many makers successfully sell their work, and some gain commissions as a result of participating. Lower priced works, in around the $100 to $200 range, tend to sell very well. It is to the artists’ advantage to show a variety of sizes.
Sarah Goldrup, manager of programs and operations with the Guelph Arts Council, said the organization facilitates the artist component of Art on the Street, leading the jurying of the work and communications with participating artists.
“We have an anonymous jury of community members, creative professionals, and artists who come in and select the artists who will be presenting every year,” Goldrup said.
Art on the Street, she added, is exceptional for its scale and high level of professionalism, and it attracts a very unique crowd eager to see the art and support the artists.
