Festival of music, food and fine arts to be held Aug. 25-27
By Avery Wageman
Contributing Writer
Artstreet, an outdoor celebration of the arts, will host over 100 vendors displaying and selling their creations that include paintings, fiber arts, sculptures, jewelry, and metal works next weekend at Ashwaubomay park in Ashwaubenon.
In addition to visual arts, Artstreet will have two stages for performing arts that will feature music, theater, dance, and comedy performances throughout the weekend.
For patrons who work up an appetite walking the festival, Lucky 8’s Grill, Caribbean Cruiser and Heritage Coffee are a few of nearly a dozen food vendors that will be present.
Carol Faltynski, Executive Director of Mosaic Arts, said that Artstreet has “something that appeals to everyone.”
“I think people come because they enjoy seeing art. There [are] certain artists that they follow and want to purchase something from” Faltynski said. “There’s a lot of people that just want to be in that artistic atmosphere, whether they buy something or not … The interest [for Artstreet] seems to come from the people that want to be in that environment and be part of the art community.”
Manitowoc artist Kevin Edgar will be returning to Artstreet for his third year. Formerly the owner of an electronics manufacturing company, Edgar now makes Windswimmer copper fish mobiles in his retirement.
The businessman turned artist makes two- to four-foot-long wind mobiles in the shape of fish such as walleye, tuna and even hammerhead sharks. “[The mobile] was a challenge to see if I could replicate something from nature like that.”
Excited to return to Artstreet, Edgar said, “It’s kind of iconic. If you can get into there, it’s one of the big [festivals] in the area.”
The vendors at Artstreet will not only consist of professional artists such as Edgar. Ten percent of vendors will be “emerging artists,” artists that have never been accepted by a jury for a fine-arts festival before. The intention is to create opportunities for anyone of any age to display and sell their art.
Faltynski explained that this opportunity is especially appreciated by people who have found time to explore the arts in their retirement. “It gives people of any age the opportunity to get into art and be a part of the art show,” said Faltynski.
Family Creative Areas will be open throughout the grounds with creative activities for patrons feeling particularly inspired while perusing the festival.
If community members would like an even greater opportunity to participate in Artstreet, they are encouraged to volunteer. As a three-day festival with over 100 vendors, Faltynski explained that Artstreet requires around 6000 hours of volunteer time to operate. The festival is still in need of volunteers, and applications will continue to be open on Mosaic Arts’ website until opening day.
Artstreet will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. August 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. August 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 27. Admission to the festival is free. Parking will be available on the festival grounds, but the majority of parking space will be available at the nearby Brown County Fairgrounds. A shuttle bus will be available for the half-mile distance to and from the festival.
For more information about Artstreet, check out Mosaic Arts’ website at https://mosaicartsinc.org/events/artstreet/#gallery.