- Credibility:
RAVENSWOOD — The Ravenswood ArtWalk returns this weekend after taking last year off due to the pandemic.
The event runs 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday along Ravenswood Avenue between Lawrence and Waveland avenues. Neighbors have the chance to connect with artisans of all kinds, including painters, jewelers, brewers, dancers, potters, photographers and musicians.
Live performances and interactive activities will be held by Ginny Sykes of Spacca Napoli, Movement Republic and The Hive.
“We are very excited to be back with our first festival since 2019,” said Gene Wagendorf III, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s associate director. “We have been supporting local businesses the best that we can during the past year, but it feels great to be able to invite the community back to a long-standing neighborhood favorite.”
The event typically draws more than 10,000 visitors for a weekend of art, music, food and community while giving people a peek inside the spaces that help define Ravenswood.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s event will be a more stripped-down version, with a focus on participating artists and businesses.
“Keeping everyone safe is our top priority,” Wagendorf said. “Redirecting our focus back to what the original ArtWalk was about, the artists and local businesses, it’ll be much easier for us to control crowds and maintain social distancing among attendees.”
Highlights of this year’s ArtWalk:
- An outdoor arts market at Ravenswood and Berteau with more than 60 local artists and food from 5411 Empanadas and Hilary’s Cookies, beer from Urban Brew Labs and Empirical Brewery and a non-alcoholic beverage tent benefiting the Friendship Center Food Pantry.
- A sneak peek of upcoming Ravenswood projects. The chamber will have a display showing residents information and visuals of the sculptures, art projects and more coming later this year.
- Neighbors will also have access to historic buildings in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor and can visit instrument makers, glass workers, museum archives, ceramic studios and more.
This year’s Ravenswood ArtWalk is organized by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, The Hive, Garrett Realty, The Friendship Center Food Pantry, Ravenswood Community Council and Thresholds.
Proceeds from the ArtWalk support neighborhood events, programs, and initiatives, for the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. A portion of proceeds benefit the Friendship Center Food Pantry ad Ravenswood Community Council.
For more information regarding the Ravenswood ArtWalk, visit ravenswoodartwalk.org.
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