Lewiston Art Festival reaches major milestone, promises unforgettable event Aug. 8-9

Submitted by the Lewiston Council on the Arts 

Sixty years. Thousands of artists. Countless memories.

On Aug. 8 and 9, the Lewiston Art Festival celebrates its 60th anniversary, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience more than 200 artists, live music, theater, dance, interactive art experiences, and the vibrant community spirit that has made the festival a beloved tradition for generations.

Lewiston Art Festival file photos.

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"The Lewiston Art Festival is the signature event of the Lewiston Council on the Arts and a celebration of everything that makes our community special," Lewiston Council on the Arts Executive Director Maria Fortuna Dean said. "As we mark the festival's 60th anniversary, we're also giving thanks for six decades of artists, volunteers, sponsors, community partners and visitors who together have created this wonderful heritage for us all.

She added, "We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our elected officials at every level of government that has helped our festival flourish. The Village of Lewiston, the Town of Lewiston and the Niagara County Legislature recognize that investment in the arts is an investment in our community. A thriving arts sector strengthens our local economy, attracts visitors, supports small businesses and enriches the quality of life for residents. Lewiston has earned a reputation as a destination for artists and art lovers alike, and the Art Festival continues to be one of the community's greatest assets."

Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick said, “The Lewiston Art Festival is one of the defining traditions of our community and a weekend that people look forward to every year. One of the most common questions I hear from people outside our area is, ‘When is the Lewiston Art Festival?’ That says so much about its reputation and impact. As we celebrate the festival's anniversary, it's especially meaningful to recognize 60 years of bringing artists, visitors and our community together. It's absolutely one of my favorite events of the year.”

Village of Lewiston Mayor Dan Cota said, “The 60th anniversary of the Lewiston Art Festival is a remarkable milestone and a testament to its lasting importance. It is one of our most valued traditions, bringing people together while supporting artists, local businesses and our community's cultural identity.”

The pedestrian-friendly layout will close Center Street to cars from Fourth to Eighth streets, and will fill the village’s main artery with art and live music all along the way.

What to watch, do, enjoy

•The young actors from Niagara University Repertory Theatre (N.U.R.T.) will perform enchanting interpretations of beloved children’s books and familiar tales – from “Billy Goats Gruff” to “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse” – and all will be charmed by these timeless stories retold. Look for them in front of St. Peter’s Rectory at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

•Buffalo Toronto Public Media will broadcast live from the festival from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday

•At five interactive stations located throughout the festival, visitors of all ages are invited to help create “Art Is…”, a collaborative community art experience celebrating the festival's 60th anniversary. Participants can:

√ Contribute to a collaborative mural celebrating the power of art.

√ Complete the phrase "Art Is..." by responding to creative prompts with short reflections that will become part of a 60th anniversary community archive.

√ Weave a ribbon, strip of fabric, or fiber – along with a written message of hope, gratitude or encouragement – into a collective textile representing our community's shared connections and aspirations.

√ Help build a community mosaic by adding buttons, beads, bottle caps, game pieces, costume jewelry and other colorful treasures that have been collected over the past several weeks.

√ Participate in a festivalwide photo scavenger hunt that encourages exploration, creativity and discovery throughout the event. Photos will be shared via social media in the coming weeks.

Together, these activities invite festivalgoers to leave their own creative mark and become part of the Lewiston Art Festival's 60-year legacy.

“Our hope is to create an experience that reminds people that art is not separate from ordinary life,” Fortuna Dean said. “Art lives in shared experiences – in images, music, storytelling – and in our memory. This project invites the community to help define what art has meant here over the last 60 years – and what it can become moving forward.”

•This year’s Indigenous Experience, centered around the gazebo and sponsored by AMD Environmental Services, Seneca Resorts & Casinos and Sevenson Environmental Services, offers a full schedule of Indigenous cultural offerings, all curated by Mary A. Clause, (Mohawk/Cayuga) Bear Clan. Programming includes dancing by Hoops of Hope and Resilience, and music by Darryl Tonemah, The Iroquois Indian Band and Thunderbird. ögwé’öwe: dë'nötgwa’ will invite festivalgoers to join in Iroquois-style social dances and songs; the steps and songs and the traditional dress will be explained so that all can share firsthand in this wonderful experience.

Visit Richard D. Hamell and Michele-Elise Burnett to learn about the Trail of Treaties, discover one of the largest Wampum displays in the U.S., and learn how to make a wampum bead using traditional tools.

Clause will honor the traditions of the Haudenosaunee people by opening and closing the Indigenous Experience with addresses in the Haudenosaunee language, as well as leading the children’s make-and-take art activities. Please see the schedule and visit the Indigenous artisans to experience the rich traditional and contemporary culture of our Haudenosaunee friends and neighbors.

•In keeping with our commitment to fostering the development of young artists, the Emerging Artist Showcase, located in the KeyBank parking lot, will feature the work of artists aged 21 and under. Artists who are early on in their development have the opportunity to gain exhibiting experience without adhering to the more stringent requirements for professional artists. Don’t miss this chance to start collecting the work of these rising stars! 

•This year’s Chalk Walk theme is “One World,” and we will have nine teams of all ages, with prize categories for Youth Artists, Emerging Artists, High School, and Advanced Artist (individuals 18 years or older), as well as Audience Choice.

We are grateful to our sponsors, KeyBank and First Presbyterian Church, whose support makes it possible for this to be a true community event. Be sure to grab a piece of chalk and add your special touch to our “Draw With Us” group street mural!

For participating Art Festival artists, Modern Corporation generously sponsors the “Modern Art Awards” given in six categories: Painting; Mixed Media; Graphic Arts / Photography; Artistic Crafts I: Jewelry; Artistic Crafts II: Ceramic, Glass, Metal; Artistic Crafts III: Wood, Leather, Fiber. Each category will award first-, second- and third-place prizes; Best in Show and Best Booth will also be awarded. 

Before you go

For the safety and comfort of our two- and four-legged friends, we strongly discourage bringing non-service dogs to the festival. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their bare paws! 

Art Festival sponsors include the Town of Lewiston, Village of Lewiston, Niagara County Legislature, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Modern Corporation, Sevenson Environmental Services, AMD Environmental Consultants Inc., Seneca Resorts & Casinos, West Herr, and Fran and Marie Williams. Chalk Art sponsors include KeyBank and First Presbyterian Church. We are grateful to Tin Pan Alley for providing a delicious sit-down breakfast for the artists!

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www.artcouncil.org.