Albany Museum of Art seeks demonstrating artists for Fall Fest

ALBANY ─ The Albany Museum of Art is looking for demonstrating artists who want to showcase their talent at the seventh annual The Heart of Albany Festival. The fall art celebration is set for Nov. 16, on the museum grounds at 311 Meadowlark Drive.

“This is our annual gift to the community,” AMA Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf said. “We hope that our friends in the art community will join us to make this a truly memorable celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Albany Museum of Art.”

The event attracts professional chalk artists each year who compete for best-of-show honors by creating 49-square-foot or larger artworks on the pavement while festivalgoers watch. Amateur individuals and school teams vie for bragging rights by creating smaller works.

“Last year, we changed the name from ChalkFest to The Heart of Albany Festival, not to de-emphasize the amazing chalk art that everyone loves, but because we are adding more artists from other disciplines,” Albany Museum of Art Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said. “In addition to chalk artists, we have had glassblowing demonstrations, printmaking with a steamroller, drawing demos, and other art forms at the festival. We are hoping to attract even more demonstrating artists this year.”

Participating artists can expect a large audience since the event has no admission fee. The timing of The Heart of Albany Festival also allows artists to get their artwork in front of a large crowd at the right time — two weeks before Black Friday, traditionally the “official” start of the Christmas shopping season.

“There is no fee for demonstrating artists, and they can sell their artwork,” Vanoteghem said. “It gives our festivalgoers a wonderful opportunity to see the creative process at work. We want artists who will demonstrate glassblowing, printmaking, candle-making, temporary body art, sketching, painting, flower arranging, textiles, woodworking and more.”

In addition to art demonstrations and chalk art competitions, The Heart of Albany Festival features a vendor village, a food truck oasis, on-stage music and entertainment, games and activities for kids, and a libation station for adults.

“In their demonstrations, artists will engage directly with the community in a celebration of art and creativity,” Vanoteghem said. “They will showcase their skills and talents in a supportive environment, where they can network with other artists and art enthusiasts while enjoying the music, food and drink, and vendors.”

There is no booth fee for demonstrating artists or nonprofit organizations. Booth fees are $75 for vendors and $150 for food trucks. An application link may be found online at www.albanymuseum.com/events/heartfest.

Artists and vendors with questions may contact Vanoteghem at [email protected] or call her at (229) 439-8400 during museum weekday business hours.

Special Photo: Albany Museum of Art