Waterloo Arts Fest 2014

Author: Amy Callahan | Member: 1point618 Gallery

The 12^th Annual Waterloo Arts Fest will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2014, and will feature an exciting mix of innovative art and music experiences for all ages–plus the hippest local art vendors, CLE’s best food trucks, and our newest ARTS ALIVE program, which encourages attendees to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and give art a try.

What started out as a few people gathered around a band playing in the parking lot of the Beachland Ballroom, today has grown into a summer afternoon art bash, celebrating the Collinwood community and showcasing the vibrant art and music scene from around the region.

Programming for the Fest winds up and down the street, in and out of galleries, vintage boutiques and record stores, through sculpture gardens and alleyways. All along the way, attendees are entertained by a myriad of performers such as, giant puppets and stilt walkers, hoop dancers, magicians, belly dancers, jugglers, chalk artists, living statues, capoeira performers, break dancers, buskers and more. And with 70+ musicians on six stages, performing genres as varied as indie rock, dixieland, reggae, Americana, klezmer, singer/songwriter, polka and spoken word, there is something for everyone.

We partner with hundreds of artists and arts organizations from around the region to create a visual art extravaganza. Fest goers can stroll through the many art galleries up and down Waterloo, or shop at more than 30 art vendors peddling, handmade jewelry, pottery, screen prints, T-shirts, handbags, clothing and much more. Check out the annual Battle of the Rust Belt Artists, where Cleveland West Art League take on Pittsburgh’s Penn Ave Arts District. Pick up a walking map of Zoetic Walls to see the murals of regional artists as well as some of the most renowned street artists from across the country.

You can pop into the Waterloo Arts Pop-Up Studio, where the young and not so young get creative with Fest favorites like, DIY button making & mini-canvas art. Or visit the Arts Alive tent, where anyone can try their hand at weaving, throwing pottery, screen-printing, handling ancient art and watching the fleece of angora goats be spun into yarn. Last year’s Arts Alive participants included: Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art, Zygote Press, the Cleveland Print Room, Miser Magazine, Praxis Fiber Arts, and Brick Ceramics Studio. Besides many creative activities throughout the festival grounds, there is a dedicated Kids Area with it’s own stage, and new hands-on amusements every year.

If it is art you want to do, you can do it on the ‘loo this summer at the 12^th Annual Waterloo Arts Fest!