More than 20 arts and cultural organizations will collaborate to present ArtsWeek, a two-weekend program of visual and performing arts events that began July 23 and concludes Sunday, July 31. With 22 organizations involved, ArtsWeek is the largest celebration of the arts in the region.
“Supporting cultural organizations and programs makes sense from an economic development perspective,” says Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee, which presents the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival, a cornerstone of the event. “There is a direct relation between successful urban revitalization and renewal and integrating arts into a community through cultural attractions and tourism.”
Many new elements have been added to the schedule of arts activities that will be featured during ArtsWeek. Among them:
• An expanded Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival, celebrating its 41st year in downtown with 40 additional artists from 30 U.S. states, Canada, Israel and India.
• New live performances at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.
• The Erie Canal Museum’s restoration of the Nathan Roberts canal boat replica.
• 40 Below’s Public Arts Task Force arterie project, during which Erie Boulevard East will be painted blue to celebrate the historical significance of the Erie Canal.
• Flicks on the Crick, outdoor films along the Creekwalk presented by the Sound Garden.
• The New Times´ newspaperbox painting project.
• Syracuse Stories, a multimedia art and storytelling festival, celebrating the people and cultures that make up our community.
ArtsWeek ScheduleThis is not a comprehensive schedule, but highlights what’s going on during ArtsWeek. For a full schedule, visit www. syracuseartsandcraftsfestival.com. And if you’d rather not drive downtown, on Saturday and Sunday you can park free at Manley Field House, Comstock Avenue and Colvin Street, and take a free shuttle from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
July 29-31: Arts & Crafts Festival.
A three-day showcase of the country’s most talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers, in and around Columbus Circle. The expanded show features 26 more artists than last year representing 27 states and Canada. Visit www.syra cuseartsandcraftsfestival.com for more information. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 29-31: M Street Cooperative. This event brings 65 local crafters back downtown, this year expanded all the way up Montgomery Street to City Hall, with booths offering stained glass and handmade wooden toys to wrought-iron sculpture and handmade children’s and adult clothing, and also featuring the Media Unit’s Monster Book Sale. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 29-31: Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival. Three outdoor stages, strolling musicians, open on-stage master classes and clinics with student groups by guest artists and downtown nightclub jams mixing touring musicians with local and regional talent. Visit www.nejazzwinefest.org for more information. Clinton and Hanover squares. Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m.
July 29-31: Why? A Community Art Project. Members of the community will create a series of art pieces by expressing what each person truly desires through answering life’s unanswered questions. These panels will be free-standing wooden canvases for the public to transform their answers into visual art. Paint, markers and other weatherproof materials will be used on approximately 6-by-4-foot wooden sandwich panels. Columbus Circle, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.July 29-31: Onondaga Historical Association. The OHA will host the artists and wares of the Native American Circle of Life. Crafts will include cornhusk dolls, jewelry, handmade blankets and purses, and unique gifts from the North-ern Door Trading Post. Traditional Native foods will also be available for sale. 321 Montgomery St. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 29-31: Blue Rain ECOfest.
Music and dance acts, exhibits by local green and clean companies and organizations, a Green Drinks Syracuse special event on Saturday, July 30, 5 to 7 p.m., at Prime Steakhouse in Hanover Square, and, new this year, the Greening USA Sustainability Academy in the City Hall Commons Atrium, where visitors can learn about green programs and initiatives. Learn more at www. bluerainecofest.org.
July 29-31: CNY Artists. Those affiliated with cnyartists.com will demonstrate throughout the festival. If you are an artist, bring some creations and work with us. Items created will be shown at CNY Artists Gallery, Shoppingtown Mall, during August. The Mission lawn, 304 E. Onondaga St.
July 29-31: Syracuse University Bookstore Book Fair. The centerpiece of the book fair is books written and illustrated by Central New Yorkers;
authors and artists will be on hand to discuss, read and autograph their books. Human and canine representatives from German Shepherd Rescue of Central New York will be there on Saturday, July 30, 1 to 5 p.m. Columbus Circle. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 30: Syracuse New Times Street Painting Festival. See story, facing page.
July 30: Syracuse New Times Newspaper-Box Painting Compe tition.
Eight competitors will paint Syracuse New Times’ newspaper boxes during ArtsWeek and New Times readers will vote on the winning box. The winner will receive a prize package with theme park tickets, downtown gift cards and art supplies. The contest is open to all local students ages 16 to 23. Pre-registration is required at snt@ syracusenewtimes.com with a jpeg of your original artwork using the subject line “Paper-box Submissions.’ Visit www.syracusenewtimes.com for more information. Montgomery Street near City Hall. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 30: Bikers for Babies. This fundraising event is one of the most important ways to ensure that research and programs can continue in the fight against premature birth and other threats to babies’ health. City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St. 463-0700.
July 30: Serenity Gardens. In conjunction with the Arts & Craft Festival, the gardens will be open for festival goers to enjoy a soul food meal including ribs, fried chicken, hot dogs and delectable desserts. Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 317 E. Jefferson St. 9 a.m. 474-1238.
July 30: Everson Museum of Art.
Create a carved clay tile inspired by the patterns of the artwork of Syracuse sculptor David MacDonald. Museum staff will be on hand to assist, and samples of MacDonald’s artwork will provide examples of patterns that can be carved into the clay. Visit www.ever son.org for more information. City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
July 30: Syracuse Stories. See story, page 29.
