Art Crawl coming this weekend

Title sponsor Sawyer Dejonge from Everjonge Homes and organizing committee chair Richard Peddie welcome people to the July 18-20 Amherstburg Art Crawl.

The third annual Amherstburg Art Crawl returns this weekend (July 18-20) and it features a variety of different ways to enjoy local artwork.

The Art Crawl has expanded to a third day this year, with Friday night’s Art Crawl Social being the only event with a cost. That event is held at Hotel STRY, specifically inside The O where ticketholders can enjoy work from the Artists of Colour and a performance by the band Trading Places. Food will be sold by Frate Street Food and Tellers Café with a complimentary “Matisse” themed cocktail provided to those who purchase tickets.

Tickets are $20 and available through the art crawl website.

Saturday and Sunday events are free and happening mainly in the downtown core. The “Unleashed” artist site tours are around the downtown core with additional artists hosted at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Passports are available at each of the sites and by downloading one through the art crawl website, people can turn their initialled passports in for a chance to win a Sobeys gift card. 

Artists include Stephen Gibb, Rob MacLellan, Dennis White, Park House Tinsmiths, J.P. Bondy of Pink House Pottery, Monty Scott at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Marshall White at the Gibson Gallery, Mona Sullivan, and there will also be an “Early Amherstburg Photography” exhibit at the Marsh Historical Collection from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.

Official unveilings of the new murals in “Art Alley” will take place at 12 noon Saturday along with the winning murals of the children’s art contest. 

While the “Unleashed” art tours allow people to view the artwork put forth by local artists while on their own walking tours of the town, Art Windsor-Essex will lead a guided tour at 2 p.m. Saturday. 

The Musicland Band and The Bishop Boys will be performing from 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday. Street artists will be on Richmond St. from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and plein air artists in Navy Yard Park both days. The Junior Art Crawl will be in Art Alley Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Docents will be leading an art and historic tour Sunday at 1 p.m.

The event concludes with a Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) performance in King’s Navy Yard Park Sunday at 3 p.m.

“I think we’re in good shape,” said art crawl committee chair Richard Peddie. 

Peddie said they appreciate all sponsors, including title sponsor Everjonge.

“We’re delighted to have them,” said Peddie.

Sawyer Dejonge said they are building homes in the area and that artwork is a growing attraction for people to buy them. 

Peddie stated the art crawl grows every year, this year with the addition of the social and the busy two days that follow. Friday night “is a bargain at $20” while the Saturday and Sunday events are free.

“There’s so much more for the public,” he said.

Dejonge said he is very excited for the event, and he has family in Windsor that are planning to attend. 

“It pairs well with Open Air Weekends,” added Dejonge. “It’s here, it’s nice and it’s beautiful.”

For more information, visit www.artamherstburg.ca. 

Art Crawl coming this weekend

By Ron Giofu

(Editor's Note: This story has been updated due to a correction needed to a person's last name.)