Art Crawl returns to Amherstburg

The WSO wind quintet performed in King’s Navy Yard Park late Sunday afternoon to close the two-day Amherstburg Art Crawl.

The Amherstburg Art Crawl returned to town for the fifth straight year and featured new art being created, the viewing and sale of other pieces of art and the unveiling of more public art pieces.

The latter included two new murals being unveiled in the town’s downtown core. The first unveiling was “The Stories We Tell,” the mural in “Art Alley” on the side of the Downtown Espresso building. 

As stated in the July 8 edition of the River Town Times, Michigan artist Kevin Burdick returned to Amherstburg where he painted the mural featuring an older man telling fishing stories to a young boy, with a photo of the man and a sturgeon that he caught.

Burdick was unable to attend the Amherstburg Art Crawl due to another commitment but his work met with the approval of those who attended the unveiling last Saturday afternoon.

Two hours later, the second mural was unveiled on an Amico-owned building at the Boblo Dock, visible from the King’s Navy Yard Park extension. 

Town crier Norm Ross led a tour from “Art Alley,” through King’s Navy Yard Park and then southbound on Dalhousie St. to the Boblo Dock, stopping at art installations along the route.

“We’re celebrating Boblo,” said island resident and Art Crawl committee chair Richard Peddie.

Peddie noted the island’s history as a popular amusement park in its day, with the mural celebrating that history. Peddie recalled going to the amusement park as a kid and pointed out that residents and visitors enjoyed it until it closed in 1993.

Elaine Guitar plein air paints in King’s Navy Yard Park en route to winning first place in the plein air competition.

“It was a major economic engine for the town,” said Peddie.

Artist David Creed and Derek Amicone from Amico unveiled the mural. Amicone said they were happy to get involved.

“We are very proud to be part of the art initiative in Amherstburg,” said Amicone. 

Amicone said they support the art movement in Amherstburg and the efforts that have gone into it.

Creed went through his mural, including stories of rides he wanted to go on and historic buildings on the island. He said the island provided good memories and great times for a long time.

“It triggered a lot of wonderful memories from when I was a child,” said Creed.

The Local Artist Collective held an “Art Bash” at The Missing O restaurant within Hotel STRY and displayed their work over the two-day event. There were guided and unguided tours, 23 plein air artists throughout the town, a youth art contest and the unveiling of their work in “Art Alley,” a junior art crawl and the event’s conclusion, a performance from the WSO brass quintet in King’s Navy Yard Park. 

Artists from the Local Collective Art Project create new artwork on Murray St.

In the children’s and teen’s art contest, Keera Bondy and Leon Arksey-Wagg took first and second place respectively in the age 6-9 category. In the 10-13 age group, Adrienne Cacilhas and Ciara Bondy won first prize while Abigail McCort took second. In the age 14-18 age group, the first place winner was Juliana Durante.

Artist David Creed talks about his new Boblo themed mural July 11.

Elaine Guitar won first prize in the plein air art contest for her painting “Tranquil Interlude.” Joseph Butler’s “View from Navy Yard” took second place while Astra Nams’ “End of the Promenade” took third. The honourable mention went to Layne Van Loo’s “Sun, Shade and Solitude” while the People’s Choice Award was won by Klaus Salucop for his “Haircuts and Coffee” piece.

In addition to Hotel STRY, “Unleashed” venues where art was displayed or created included St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the Park House Museum, the Gibson Gallery, Pink House Pottery and the Amherstburg Library. 

Marsh HIstorical Collection collections co-ordinator Meg Reiner (left) and town crier Norm Ross (right) led a walking tour Sunday.

Peddie thanked all sponsors, including title sponsor Everjonge Homes, and pointed out the art scene is increasing in Amherstburg. There were 13 public art installations in Amherstburg when Creed created the mural at River Bookshop and Peddie added there are now over 60 pieces of public art, including 24 in “Art Alley.”

“We’re loving it that other people are stepping up,” said Peddie. 

There is no specific theme for public art, he added, with the hope that there is something for everyone. He said the Art Amherstburg Society, which organizes the Art Crawl, pays a portion for murals while the business owner pays the rest. 

Peddie said Amherstburg was already a great destination for many reasons but more public art has increased

Art Crawl returns to Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu