SYRACUSE - The Creative Fish art gallery and cooperative will host the second annual Street Festival Sept. 22.
Organizer Kathleen Boyts said the Street Festival is part of the gallery's mission to share the enjoyment of art with area residents.
"Part of what the festival is about is just really opening up art in the community," Boyts said.
The Street Festival is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22. Main Street will be closed to traffic and filled with displays from area artists, music, art demonstrations and workshops, food stands and a beer tent from local vendors.
A raffle also will be held with major prizes announced every half hour. Raffle contestants do not need to be present to win.
Collectible hand-painted chili bowls (chili included) will be for sale at the festival. Last year, Boyts said, gallery workers and local artists painted 100 of the bowls and sold them all in 1-1/2 hours. This year, she said, they are painting more.
Music, both live and recorded, will be provided throughout the day with the classic rock band Relics performing from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Creative Fish opened in early 2006, at Pickwick Square on the corner of Ind. 13 and Main Street. Since the 2006 Street Festival, the gallery has moved from their original location to a larger facility on the corner of Main and Huntington streets.
"The gallery has grown about 10 times the size it was, and we have room for more classes now," Boyts said.
More than 20 art classes, ranging from painting to pottery to glass fusion to metalwork, are held at the gallery each week.
"We kind of do a lot of different things here," said Boyts. "We love customer service. We have a lot of fun with the people who come and participate."
Boyts said the Street Festival is an extension of the gallery's interactive spirit.
"We want everyone to come enjoy just hanging out with people and being part of the day," she said. "That's the atmosphere that we're trying to portray. It's something for the community to come and just have a fun day. Look at art, visit with people, have good food and listen to some good music."
An information booth will be available for festival goers to get information on gallery programs like winter art classes for children.
Artists interested in displaying work at the festival call Tammy Kratzer at 574-457-8006.
Creative Fish owners and board members are Boyts, Kratzer, Mary Gerard and Linda Zimmerman.
