PLATTSBURGH — New art will be fired, chalked, and unveiled at the 3rd Annual Lake City Arts Festival hosted by the City of Plattsburgh today from noon to 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Plattsburgh.
The festival showcases local and regional talent and will include a Kid’s Art Zone, live performances on the Margaret Street stage, a mural dedication for the new “You Matter Mural,” live and interactive art demonstrations, local restaurants, food trucks and more.
The Kid’s Zone, sponsored by Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and located in the Betty Little Arts Park, runs from noon to 4 p.m. Stop by with your aspiring artists for activities run by our Plattsburgh Public Library Staff.
“We are working with the Plattsburgh Public Library to provide a couple of different interactive art activities for inspiring young artists. One of the things that we are doing in the Kids Zone, we are also working with a local astronomy enthusiast. His name is Ed, and he works with Ephemer ADK. He owns a couple of different telescopes, and he comes out for different events.” Courtney Meisenheimer, City of Plattsburgh director of community development, said.
“He sets his telescope up, and he does a lot of public education around what is in the sky. He was out down at the City Beach for the eclipse. He’s come to other events in the Betty Little Arts Park. He just loves the sky and telling people about it. We invited him to come to the event, but we’re going to have an art activity that corresponds with what he’s doing. So that will be kind of this cool tie-in. It’s also going to be happening in the Betty Little Arts Park right underneath the Michael Anderson mural. So, folks can look for the mural and then look for the telescope. They can see what’s in the sky tomorrow, and then there’s going to be an art activity based on what the kids see. They’ll be able to recreate and interact with this theme through art.”
The Chalk Art Festival is a mini festival within the festival.
“We’ve got a couple of local artists who will be making chalk murals and chalk illustrations on the ground in the Betty Little Arts Park,” Meisenheimer said.
“But what’s also great is kids are welcome to grab chalk and make their own designs or work with the artists to help them complete their designs. So, it’s kind of like this really great opportunity for kind of our young people to work alongside our artists’ community and create that connection and get that chance to kind of work with them to create a piece of art.”
MUSIC ON MARGARET
The Margaret Street Stage will host six local music acts including Nate Pultorak, Sarah Mitchell, Kiel Love, Bluebird, Instant Narwhal and Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band.
The Strand Center for the Arts will be hosting live and interactive art demonstrations including stone carving, wheel throwing, fiber arts and more on their front lawn.
“There is going to be a lot of art demonstrations going on,” Meisenheimer said.
“There are some different pottery demonstrations happening in the park. Over on the Strand lawn, there will be some pottery wheel throwing and something else that involves fire.”
Event attendees can take a Mural Walk downtown and discover the many murals in Downtown Plattsburgh and even meet some of the artists who created them. Artist Row on Brinkerhoff Street, an art market dedicated to local artists, will be selling their beautiful creations.
Downtown businesses and restaurants will be taking to the streets to showcase their products and food.
“There will be lots of things for young people and adults to come and see and be inspired and just not seeing the finished product but also learning the process behind how certain forms of art are made,” Meisenheimer said.
Road Closures and Event Information
Residents should plan accordingly for the closure of Margaret Street between the Betty Little Arts Park and Court Street. Brinkerhoff Street (between Marion and Margaret Street), Clinton Street and Protection Avenue will be closed.
Road closures will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.
Parking is prohibited on closed streets and parked vehicles will be towed.
Event attendees are encouraged to park in the Arnie Pavone Parking lot off Margaret Street or the Durkee Street parking lot.
The event is free, open to the public and family friendly. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash at all times.
Lake City Arts Festival Information
The Lake City Arts Festival is co-produced by the City of Plattsburgh and The Strand Center for the Arts and powered by local artists and community volunteers. The festival organizers would like to thank Schluter Systems, Brennen Buick, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, MVP Health Care, SeaComm, Dannemora Federal Credit Union, Hey I’m Kim and Eagle Country Radio for making this event possible.
All information about the festival can be found at www.lakecityartsfestival.com.