Close to 35 youth artists of all levels have signed up to participate in the 8th annual Illuminate art festival taking place at St. Albert Place on Saturday, July 5.
A cornerstone of Amplify programs for youth in Grade 7 to age 21, it features live entertainment, an art battle, chalk art, youth activities, and craft tables.
Illuminate’s hub is a stage that during the four-hour event, will feature a mix of 10 performing artists. A smattering of the artists performing include R&B singer Savannah Hill, folk artist Jake Garyson and pop singers Ava Nayana, Olivia Coscentino and Laila Alexander.
However, the festival’s beating heart is the Art Battle, where 10 visual artists vie for bragging rights. They compete in a round robin challenge starting with two rounds of five painters.
“I’m really excited about this. It’s asking a lot of kids to watch their process and put something out there and be judged. But it’s so fun to watch art be created. And it allows visual artists to interact with the community. There’s usually lots of interaction and it’s wonderful to see them spotlighted,” said Kathleen Bell, community cultural coordinator.
In addition, Illuminate will feature an outdoor photo exhibition where prints will be hung on trees behind St. Albert Place. Eleven photographers display multiple photos each.
“It’s a great way to catch the attention of passersby,” Bell said. “Over the years, photographers have become increasingly inventive. They’re getting more stylized. Last year, someone did a close-up of an eye surrounded by tinted lights. Concert photos are also very popular, and macro photography is channelling lots of creativity.”
Chalk artistry has always been part of Illuminate. For many, it's a more intimate way to create public art and less intimidating than the art battle. This year, organizers are bringing in Peter Gegolick, Edmonton Mural Festival organizer, to mentor chalk artists.
“We want to create an opportunity for artists to go bigger and think about ways of going from a canvas to a mural. How can I fill this whole space? And there are different ways to use chalk art. You can grind down the chalk, add water and turn it into paint. There are different things you can do.”
Drop-in crafts will also be planned Inside St. Albert Place’s Quilting Studio. They include everything from take-home faux suncatchers built from laminate material to magnet making.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and snacks for comfort while enjoying performances.
Illuminate is free and runs Saturday, July 5, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. All ages welcome.
