By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The search for the area's freshest artisans and performers is on. Original plans for Downtown In Motion: A Celebration of the Arts was announced Tuesday by the Niles downtown promotion committee.
The event is free and will be held on Friday, June 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Downtown in Motion will aim at showcasing the finest and most unique wood, glass, clay, ceramic, painting, metal, photography, fiber and fabrics, folk art and other creations by artisans in the Niles area.
The weekend promises to be an interactive, upscale art and entertainment event and will feature a variety of outdoor performers, such as musicians, dancers, jugglers and characature artists, as well as indoor demonstrations and sales by artisans, Program Director of Niles Main Street Lisa Croteau said.
Artists and performers in the Niles area are encouraged to contact Croteau at (269) 687-4332 at Niles Main Street to obtain an informational packet about the weekend. Artists will then be asked to drop off five examples of their best work at 210 E. Main St., between 9 a.m. Monday, May 8 and noon on Saturday, May 13. Artists should call Croteau at the office to notify her of a drop-off.
Performers interested in showcasing their talents on the sidewalks of downtown Niles can also contact Croteau on weekdays, or Truesdell at (269) 684-1244 Wednesday through Saturday.
Artists will not be charged for exhibition space.
Co-Chairperson of the Downtown Promotions Committee Chickie Landgraf said the weekend will be at a level of quality in line with the Hunter Ice Festival. “We're trying to create something different so we're not in competition with the other area art shows,” Landgraf said.
Also available during Downtown In Motion will be free transportation on the Dial-a-Ride Trolley and also an architectural tour of some of the city's buildings.