It’s been a while since downtown Sylvania has hosted an art festival. Decades, in fact. But this year marks the birth of what the Sylvania Community Arts Commission hopes will become a lasting tradition. The town will host the first annual Maple and Main Art Fair on Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2.
“It’s something we've wanted to do for quite some time," says SCAC President Laura Jakes, “but it’s hard to make those first initial steps." The opportunity to hold a festival came to the Arts Commission last year when Executive Director of the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce Pat Nowak approached the group with an idea. “She reminded us that a nationally known and well-respected watercolor artist from Sylvania, Walter Chapman, was turning 100. I thought this was our chance to start a tradition and honor Chapman's work.” With the help of local members of the community, like Treo Restaurant General Manager Nate Schank and Whitmer High School art teacher Matt Squib the SCAC was able to set up the festival in less than six months.
Visitors to the Maple and Main Art Fair will peruse the juried artwork from several local artists in mediums ranging from painting to jewelry to glass. The numerous art displays will be complemented by exhibitions from popular Toledo artist Steven J. Athanas and students from the Toledo School for the Arts. The highlight of Friday’s festivities will be a gala celebrating Chapman’s birthday and honoring his lifetime of achievements. The famed artist will tour the show at the conclusion of the gala, and some of his art will be available at auction as well.
Both days will feature continuous live music on a stage at one end of Main Street featuring bands such as Athanas’ Homewreckers, jazz guitarist Jason Quick, and folk rockers Jack & the Bear. Parents are encouraged to make the Main and Maple Art Fair a family outing by bringing their children as there will be sidewalk chalk, face painting, and other kids’ activitites. The children’s band The Wannabes will be playing a show for the whole family on Saturday at noon. Food will be available from Treo Restaurant, Jenna’s Mediterranean Restaurant, Poncho’s Taco Truck, and Baking Brothers Pies, to name a few. Adult beverages will be provided by Heidelberg Distributors.
The Maple and Main Art Fair will run from 5:30-9pm on Friday, June 1, and from 10am-7pm on Saturday, June 2. The festival will take place on Main Street and Maplewood Avenue between Erie Street and Monroe Street in Sylvania, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.maple-and-main.org.
It’s been a while since downtown Sylvania has hosted an art festival. Decades, in fact. But this year marks the birth of what the Sylvania Community Arts Commission hopes will become a lasting tradition. The town will host the first annual Maple and Main Art Fair on Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2.
“It’s something we've wanted to do for quite some time," says SCAC President Laura Jakes, “but it’s hard to make those first initial steps." The opportunity to hold a festival came to the Arts Commission last year when Executive Director of the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce Pat Nowak approached the group with an idea. “She reminded us that a nationally known and well-respected watercolor artist from Sylvania, Walter Chapman, was turning 100. I thought this was our chance to start a tradition and honor Chapman's work.” With the help of local members of the community, like Treo Restaurant General Manager Nate Schank and Whitmer High School art teacher Matt Squib the SCAC was able to set up the festival in less than six months.
Visitors to the Maple and Main Art Fair will peruse the juried artwork from several local artists in mediums ranging from painting to jewelry to glass. The numerous art displays will be complemented by exhibitions from popular Toledo artist Steven J. Athanas and students from the Toledo School for the Arts. The highlight of Friday’s festivities will be a gala celebrating Chapman’s birthday and honoring his lifetime of achievements. The famed artist will tour the show at the conclusion of the gala, and some of his art will be available at auction as well.
Both days will feature continuous live music on a stage at one end of Main Street featuring bands such as Athanas’ Homewreckers, jazz guitarist Jason Quick, and folk rockers Jack & the Bear. Parents are encouraged to make the Main and Maple Art Fair a family outing by bringing their children as there will be sidewalk chalk, face painting, and other kids’ activitites. The children’s band The Wannabes will be playing a show for the whole family on Saturday at noon. Food will be available from Treo Restaurant, Jenna’s Mediterranean Restaurant, Poncho’s Taco Truck, and Baking Brothers Pies, to name a few. Adult beverages will be provided by Heidelberg Distributors.
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The Maple and Main Art Fair will run from 5:30-9pm on Friday, June 1, and from 10am-7pm on Saturday, June 2. The festival will take place on Main Street and Maplewood Avenue between Erie Street and Monroe Street in Sylvania, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.maple-and-main.org.
