Nearly 100 artists will be on hand for Aurora’s 14th annual Alley Art Festival.
The free festival takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. Aug. 31 on both Water Street Mall and Downer Place, between Stolp Avenue and Water Street, in downtown Aurora.
The proudly grassroots festival follows the Aurora Farmers Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon across the street at Water Street Square.
Marissa Amoni co-founded the festival and organizes the event.
“We have wonderful support from the community. It’s one of the community’s favorite festivals and I think that’s really because it’s so unique that it highlights only local artists,” she said. “We only accept local artists … within 30 miles from Aurora.”
That means attendees will be able to find art, jewelry and many more handmade items from local artists and makers.
The festival has lasted for 14 years partly because it hasn’t changed too much, she said.
“We’ve really tried to keep it grassroots and really focused on supporting local art,” she said. “Instead of trying to grow it, we’re really trying to make sure it achieves that goal of benefitting local artists and giving the community the chance to support local art, see local art and meet local artists.”
The only big change they’ve done recently is enlarge the stamp of the festival grounds, she said. It’s on Downer Place now in addition to Water Street Mall to double the number of artists.
“We’re kind of going back to the roots of Alley Art, so we have only local musicians playing,” she said.
That includes recent high school grad Matthew Garcia performing at noon, followed by mother-daughter duo The L’s performing at 3 p.m. at Mundy Park at 21 S. Broadway.
“The daughter is also an artist who is showing at Alley Art Fest,” she said. “We’re trying to really make sure Alley Art Fest maintains that integrity of keeping it local.”
Both acts are singer-songwriters.
Food vendors will be on hand so people can make a day of it by grabbing lunch or an early dinner. Food vendors include crowd favorites Strawberries BBQ, The Lovely Lemon, Holy Pierogi, Polly Ann Cakes and Snow Ballin’ Sisters.
Paramount School of the Arts will host children’s activities. APS Training Academy of Aurora and Fox Valley Robotics will showcase their robotics.
The Aurora Film Society, the League of Women Voters and the Aurora Regional Fire Museum will have booth set up as well. Dianella Dance, Magnolia Dance Collective and Thalia Dance will perform starting at 2 p.m. at Mundy Park.
More than 90 artists are featured. Everything is handmade and comes in at very reasonable price points, Amoni said.
“What’s nice about the festival is that people can purchase art for their home and support local artists. Everything is very affordable and it’s a nice alternative to decorating your home by visiting a big box store. You’re supporting local artists who in turn support the community,” she said. “This is not a fine art fair. This is a local artists/maker fair. This is all very approachable.”
Some of the artists will offer demonstrations of their work, too.
She’s very excited to celebrate the fest’s 15th anniversary next year.
“It will be quite a milestone for us,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful setting in downtown Aurora. We’re on an island and it’s historic and just a great, beautiful setting,” she said. “It will get them excited about the area where they live. It really focuses on developing and nurturing that creativity.”
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Alley Art Festival
When: 12-5 p.m. Aug. 31
Where: Water Street Mall, 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora
Tickets: free
Information: alleyartaurora.com