There will be musicians, dancers, choirs, a glassblower, sculptors, potters, fine artisans, painters and potters, said Elizabeth Madronich, one of the organizers and founders of the event

“Art Crawl is a collaboration of the art and business community and a homegrown, local event. We are incredibly fortunate to have a vibrant arts community and a generous, dynamic business community, and we want to show it off and celebrate it,” said Madronich.

She said the event has grown over the years from a handful of stores on West Street to encompassing three city blocks, with roads shut down and artists spread throughout the area on the streets and inside businesses. There are at least 100 artists and performers that take part. Last year 2,000 people came to downtown Port Colborne for the event.

“We had to keep extending the deadline for artists to enter,” said Madronich of the public’s interest.

“We changed some things for this year. Art Crawl starts earlier. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. on the streets, and then continues inside some of the shops, and bars that have music.”

Madronich said another change is the size of the downtown area that will be shut down for it. West Street between Clarence and Kent streets, Charlotte between West and King streets, and Clarence between King and West streets will all be closed the day of the event, Saturday, June 24.

“We’re trying to encourage businesses to set up things outside.”

One other change is a main stage set up at Kent and West streets, with musicians performing from noon to 8 p.m. Some of the musicians performing on the stage and at local restaurants include: Music and Performance Niagara, Corey Cruise, Katey Gatta, Emily Madronich, The Thrifty Baladeers and Three for All. Giant FM will be broadcasting live from West and Clarence streets.

“We’re working with the (Port Colborne Historical and Marine) museum this year and celebrating Canada 150. We’ve sent a bunch of canvases to local schools. They’ll be working on those and they’ll be shown.”

In addition to viewing art and hearing various musicians, people attending Art Crawl can get hands-on by painting on a large community canvas, set up in front of Something Else on West Street; creating their own painted T-shirts; or writing a message on a chalk wall.

Article courtesy of the Welland Tribune

List of Art Crawl Activities 2017  Port Colborne