Despite the raindrops and cloudy skies, thousands still flocked to Quebec Street for one of Guelph’s most anticipated summer events.
White exhibitor tents bloomed like mushrooms in the rain while artwork, exhibitors and fans flooded the area with activity and high spirits. Street performers wowed crowds with entertaining feats of balance, agility, and showmanship. Musicians roved on stilts and popped up at various tents to serenade.
Under colourful umbrellas and jackets – or simply embracing the wet – visitors roamed from tent to tent taking in sights and taking home treasures from impressive displays of ceramics, jewellery, paintings, photography, sculptures, textiles and more artwork that is less easily described but no less worth seeing and buying.
In the RBC lot was a showcase of emerging artists and a hub for street food and ice cream, information, entertainment, and shelter.
The young and young-at-heart joined in the fun at The Children’s Art Festival in St. George’s Square with interactive programs that enabled kids of all ages to discover, enjoy, and celebrate art. Children’s Art Factory, Guelph School of Art, Play with Clay, the Guelph Public Library and the Suzuki String School of Guelph filled the space with creative activities. The Mini Makers Market took cover in the Old Quebec Street Shoppes, where the youngest of artisans sold their own handmade creative wares from miniature stalls.
Congratulations to this year’s Art on the Street award winners, with Best of Show to Laurie Skantzos, People’s Choice Award to Jennifer Elliotson, Best Booth to Monika Hauck, Emerging Artist Award to S. Korey Steckle, and Honourable Mention to Neurons and Nebulas.
Artists, keep an eye out for the Art on the Street 2019 Application, which goes out in January. Sign up for our enews (published twice monthly) to make sure you don’t miss the call.
We are grateful as always to our outstanding event partner, the Downtown Guelph Business Association, and to our sponsors for making Art on the Street 2018 possible.
