Events

[ART] Everybody knows what the Allentown Art Festival is: It’s a city wide tradition; a marker that good weather has finally arrived; a chance to refresh your art collection with new pieces from paintings to ceramics; and a good excuse to explore the neighborhood you think you know. The 58th annual Allentown Art Festival will take place this Saturday, June 13 and Sunday June 14. Artists come from all over the country—from New York City to Huntsville Alabama and Buford, Georgia—to participate in the festival, but this year we’ve compiled a list of some of the best homegrown talent that will be on display. 

1. Artist Kelsey Merkle of Clarence Center combines the life-like with the surreal in her colorful designs. Many of Merkle’s photo-realistic paintings are of familiar faces—celebrities like Robert Downey Jr. or Benedict Cumberbach—some are of serene scenes, but all are done with an attention to detail that is unmatched. Find her on Delaware Avenue between North and Allen Streets.

2. In the business of taking beautiful, sprawling nature shots, it seems that photographer Jim Saba has an uncanny ability to pick just the right spot to set up his camera in locations that range from the Grand Canyon to places a little closer to home, like Letchworth State Park. This veteran photographer’s tent is a must-stop for photo lovers. Find his booth at the corner of West Tupper and Delaware.

3. Sculptor Thomas Hooper has served the community by teaching sculpting classes for UB’s Creative Craft Center, the Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Greater Buffalo Jewish Center for years. He’s also acted as director of the Carnegie Art Center, bringing insight as an expert potter and clay sculptor. You can find this Williamsville-based artist’ clay pieces on Franklin Street near Virginia.

4. Lancaster’s Laurel Davern took home the second place prize for jewelry at last year’s Allentown Art Festival. The artist’s style is is very unique. Natural elements—forest and wood themes—are carved out of metal to create one-of-a-kind designs; fine art that you don’t hang on your wall, but from your neck. You can find the jeweler on Delaware between Virginia and Edward Streets.

5. They call what artist Cheektowaga native Brian Newton does “creative crafts.” What he does is he takes a chunk of wood and makes the coolest bowl you’ve ever seen, or the most ornate vase you can imagine. Most of the stuff he carves transcends the medium itself, going beyond what we think wood can look like. Check out Brian Newton’s Outdoor Expressions on Delaware near Virginia Street.