By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

The Niles Downtown Development Association is looking for artists and artisans to join the the fourth annual Arts in Motion event June 26 in downtown Niles.

The event, in its fourth year, features artists from all over the region. The artists create their works live in various locations in downtown Niles.

“It gives an opportunity for people to walk around town and mill in the shops and meet and greet artists,” event organizer Helen Moorman said. “And it’s a great opportunity for artists to get their work out there and maybe get some commissions.”

This year Moorman will have a team of painters at her business Frame of Mind, creating their own renditions of the famous oil painting “The Whistler’s Mother” by James McNeill Whistler.

But the event is not limited to painters. Moorman said past participants have included jewelry artisans, painters, glass blowers and wire sculptors. This year Moorman is hoping to attract at least 35 artists. The Niles DDA is also looking into bringing in mimes, jugglers, caricaturists and other street performers for entertainment as well.

There will also be a team of professional artisans on hand to sculpt a 20-ton sand sculpture, in addition to an amateur sand sculpting contest, chalk the walk contest and performances by local musicians.

For information on how to register as an artist for the event, contact Helen Moorman at (269) 683-3610. For more information on the event itself, contact Lisa Croteau at the Niles DDA at (269) 687-4332.