One of the biggest yearly art shows in Aurora was on full display Saturday as the annual Alley Art Festival returned to Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street in the city’s downtown.
Nearly 100 local artists were on hand at the five-hour event, which featured paintings, jewelry, pottery and more.
Other attractions included nearly half a dozen food vendors and live entertainment.
Organizers said the goal of the 14th annual event is to put the focus on local artists and their own unique creativity.
Marissa Amoni, who was a creator of the event more than a decade ago, said while artists move in and out each year, “the goal is to pretty much keep things as they are.”
“We do have some artists that have shown up every year since 2010 and some of the new artists come from those who have attended the fest themselves,” Amoni said. “Alley Art Festival helps people value local artists and it gives artists an opportunity to shine and it gives them a platform and a way to interact with the community.
“It’s a lot of fun, but what we really want to keep about Alley Art is that it’s grassroots, a local art festival, and we really want to keep that and not change it … keeping true to its roots will help keep it special,” she said.
Henry Mosher, 19, of Oswego, said he likes making jewelry himself and that he “comes down here every year and likes looking at the prints.”
“I also look at jewelry and made this myself,” he said, showing off a pendant around his neck. “I haven’t made any of the rings I’m currently wearing, sadly, but I make a lot of stuff myself. Part of coming is to get inspiration.”
Monica Stone of St. Charles said that Saturday was her first time visiting the festival.
“I took a class at Elgin Community College, a painting class, and they said to come to this show,” Stone explained. “I’m kind of curious about looking at paintings here since I took a class and they said people can come here and sell their stuff – don’t be afraid. I like the jewelry too.”
Stone’s friend Karen Bourbon of St. Charles said she is drawn to jewelry as well as paintings.
“With 100 crafters there ought to be enough to look at,” she said at the fest.
Friends Jahiem Simmons and Adam Delgado, both of Aurora, said Saturday was a great day to attend an art festival.
“It’s a nice day, the weather is beautiful and I’m also supporting an artist I know,” Simmons said.
“She makes little paintings, little prints and stuff like that,” Simmons said. “I like that there are local artists but even if there weren’t, the more the merrier, honestly. I like seeing people’s lives displayed in their work. That’s kind of the main attraction.”
Delgado was enjoying his time at the art festival on Saturday.
“I’m newly out of college so if I see stuff that I think would be cool to have – that kind of thing is what I go for,” he said. “There was some wood stuff I saw and I could see myself getting something like that.”
Rafael Favella of Aurora also was visiting the festival and said that “everything I see here is fantastic.”
“There are things I look at and just think – wow,” he said. “I have two daughters and they paint and I’m their number one fan. I come and see all of this and think – wow, what a great impression. I bought myself a pendant for my wife too.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
