Cherry Creek Arts Festival celebrates its 26th year of art, education, music and food this Fourth of July weekend. The party continues for a third and final day on Monday, July 4, in the Cherry Creek district.
The festival attracts 250 local, national and international artists and more than 350,000 guests over the three days – and proceeds benefit CherryArts, a nonprofit dedicated to year-round arts education.
Monday's happenings run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read on for a few of the highlights from the second day of this year's event.
Take the time to chat with artists – you'll hear some good stories.
Artist Ellie Rusinova and her husband, Brandan Styles, brought their art to the festival for the fifth year. Rusinova said her art is inspired by mythology.
"Mythology is the only thing we have left from the old people," she said. "Although it may have changed, the stories are the same."
Natacha Monnalisa traveled all the way from Gainseville, Florida to show her work at Cherry Creek Art Festival for the first time. She makes intricate, nature-inspired pyrography--made by burning instricate patterns into wood and other surfaces.
"I was expecting something different from Colorado," Monnalisa said. "The crowd here is really preppy and slightly older."
You'll find that art takes many forms.
Jake 2 Jake Custom Knives is a father and son-run business from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The duo offer pre-made and custom-made knives.
Dolan Geiman brought set up his colorful tent on 2nd Ave between Clayton and Detroit. Many of his multi-media pieces were inspired by Native American culture from when he grew up in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
"My father used to fight fires in the southwest and would come home with tall tales and folklore from the Native American men he worked with," Geiman said. "They sort of transformed in my mind and come out in my art."
Music and performances are everywhere.
At the main stage, music plays all day. On Saturday, the Wendy Woo Band performed a sound-check heating up the festival with some good-time rock and roll. Check the festival's website for each of the stages' schedules.
And kids can get their hands on art too.
At the Creation Station on Steele and 2nd Ave, children of all ages are invited to express their artistic talents through a variety of crafts.
The Child Rescue Foundation is painting faces outside of the Cherry Creek Public Library. The organization offers outreach and referral programs to children and families affected by violence.
So, that's what I saw on Sunday. Give it a try – you might find something you like too.
Multimedia business & healthcare reporter Chloe Aiello can be reached via email at[email protected] or twitter.com/chlobo_ilo. Subscribe to Denverite’s newsletter here.
