Art on Lark 2011, Review

Two stages were erected at either end of the street–the Madison Stage and the Washington Stage. Music was provided courtesy of bands selected by Exit 97.9 WEXT FM including Bryan Thomas, Olivia Quillo, Alta Mira and the Erin Harkes Band. Members of the Albany Poets organization also performed a half hour long poetry reading on the stage. Small crowds gathered at each stage while the music provided a festive atmosphere for the rest of the crowd to browse, eat and shop.

The “Living Walls” Mural was set up on Hudson Avenue between Lark and Willet Street. The project, designed to raise awareness about the use of public spaces, featured graffiti artists doing a live demonstration of their work on large plywood boards. A violin and guitar duo performed outside the doorway to the United Methodist Church. Inside were vendors selling various crafts as well as sanctuary tours of the church.

Perhaps the most unusual portion of Art on Lark was touring the former Planned Parenthood building at 259 Lark Street. Chairs were stacked up and down the lobby’s staircase creating a unique sculpture. In what had been the nurses’ station, guests were invited to sample an artisan cheese on a bed of lettuce, as well as a delicious chocolate and strawberry crepe. The chocolate was provided by a renowned chocolatier whose work was also featured in the building, including an elaborate drawing etched in chocolate. Each room of the space featured different paintings and sculptures. A screening of the short fiction and documentary films created by local teens as part of the Youth FX Film Series was shown upstairs.

The UAG Gallery offered face painting and an outdoor gallery featuring several local artists. Many of the vendors also focused on art, including photographers, a hair feathering booth, a caricaturist, as well as a booth selling hand-painted baseball caps. Sustainability was another key theme of the day, with vendors selling goods from bottle cap magnets to accessories made out of repurposed clothing. An environmental organization reminded campers not to move firewood from one region to another this summer by passing out free frisbees.Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Art on Lark is known as Albany’s premiere arts festival. Despite the weather, the event brought together dozens of artists and hundreds of arts enthusiasts and neighbors to the community.

–Stacey Stump is an Assistant Editor for The Free George.

The Free George is the online magazine and visitors’ guide of Upstate NY, covering things from Albany to Lake Placid, including Saratoga, the Lake George region and the Adirondacks. Check out our new City Blogs section for our extended coverage areas as well.