That’s a very straightforward introduction, isn’t it? And, it’s an opening that simply doesn’t impart how much the festival means to this city and its people. To quote from the History section of the Festival’s website, “Since its modest beginnings in 1958, the Allentown Art Festival has become not only Buffalo’s urban rite, but … [it] has earned an important place in Buffalo’s cultural and social life and a national reputation for excellence.” More remarkable still, the Festival, “…persevered and prospered for over 50 years largely due to the members of the Allentown Village Society, Inc., whose active number of unpaid volunteers has seldom grown beyond 30.”
The Allentown Art Festival is the leading fundraiser for the support given to arts and humanities activities and agencies by the Allentown Village Society. The Donations page outlines many of those efforts. Each year “10 percent of gross profit from the Festival goes toward future art scholarships.” AVS also provides funding for programs such as Hospice, Police Athletic League, and the Buffalo Board of Education Art Department, and many, many more.
So, while you take in the art on display, such as the whimsical prints of Joe Guy of Rochester, the striking illustrations of Kelsey Merkel of Clarence, the stunning multimedia sculptures of John Baun of Buffalo, and the hauntingly beautiful industrial photography of Howard Miller of Boston, remember how much this festival is giving back to the area.
And, also remember, I completely subjectively made this list, because these four represent some of my personal festival favorites. The full interactive list of Exhibitors provides links to the artists’ websites when available, as well as the location of their booths. Also available at the Festival Website is the Concessions List, so you will know exactly where to get your deep fried Oreos and kettle corn on.
The Allentown Art Festival website this year is also offering an interactive festival map that provides pop-up displays of artists’ works when website users select the artists’ booth location on the map. “Festival goers can now find the artist they are looking for not only by name but also by the work the artist is displaying.”
Go early, stay late, don’t forget your sunscreen and umbrella. Maybe wear a jaunty hat. If you are taking your dog, please be sure to bring water for your fur buddy and be aware of how hot the pavement can be on canine feet. And, final bit of festival advice: stop by the AVS stand at Virginia and Delaware and pick up an official poster or T-shirt. Proceeds go toward some pretty fantastic programs.
Helen Bach is a returned WNY expatriate, now a Buffalo resident. She has 3 adult-sized kids, 1 wiggle-sized dog and a scintillating career dramatically unrelated to journalism.
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