Fine Arts and Crafts Fest Saturday Kicks off Delco Arts Week
In the coming week, Delaware County will become a festive carousel of art and artists, and on Saturday, Swarthmore will be its hub. The Fine Arts and Craft Festival, presented by the Community Arts Center, returns to Swarthmore for its fifth consecutive year this Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. It’s one of the first events in the first-ever Delco Arts Week, which involves more than 50 events and exhibitions across the County through Sept. 29.
CAC’s Fine Arts and Crafts Fest is a free event with all sorts of attractions concentrated in Swarthmore’s Town Center. Fifty artists and crafters will show and sell their work in booths along both sides of Park Avenue. Artists are selected by a rigorous jury process; the work will represent many styles and media, all of high quality and appeal. Festival-goers delight in the open, friendly atmosphere, and the opportunity to meet and speak with artists.
Along with all that art, there’s much more going on. Local musicians and ensembles will perform in the Central Park amphitheater from 10:30 a.m. till closing. CAC artists and artisans lead children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, including tie-dyeing, with shirts available for purchase. Swarthmore merchants and restaurants welcome hungry shoppers with special offers and Fair fare, and the Swarthmore Co-op will fire up hundreds of burgers and dogs on its grill on Lincoln Way.
Visit communityartscenter.org for a full list of participating artists and artisans, the activity schedule, and more info on this great day of family fun. Proceeds from this event support all the programs of the Community Arts Center in Wallingford and beyond, including free exhibitions, concerts, and its community outreach program ARTto go, which provides extraordinary arts experiences throughout the Delaware Valley.
Delco Arts Week Events
Many of the 50+ events and exhibitions during this jam-packed week are nearby. Here’s a list of venues, both traditional and surprising. Most locations and events have free admission, unless otherwise noted “$$.” For addresses, event times and details, and ticket info, see the Delco Arts website.
Also, check our events section for complete Delco Arts Week event listings added daily.
MJ Freed Performing Arts Theater
Daily, Sept. 21-28: “Chester Made” artSwarthmore Borough Hall
Daily, Sept. 21-27: “Observing the Landscape” — paintings by Deena BallHedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley
Sept. 21, 22, 27, 28: Performances (some $$), movies ($$), rehearsals, gallery tourSwarthmore Town Center
Sept. 21: Fine Arts & Crafts FestivalRose Valley Museum at Thunderbird Lodge
Sept. 21-22: Tours ($$) and “The Ardens” lecture Sunday ($$)The Creative Living Room at Swarthmore Community Center
Sept. 21; Sept. 23-27: Live at the Living Room, Kids Movie Night, Be Our Friend Week504 Avenue of the States, Chester
Sept. 21: Solo art show by E.GramCommunity Arts Center, Wallingford
Sept. 21-28: Phila. Water Color Society exhibit; Friday Night Live with Ashli Rice ($$)Delaware County Historical Society, Chester
Sept. 25: “A Glimpse of Delco History through Arts & Culture”Tyler Arboretum, Media
Sept. 25 & 26: Bird walk ($$), Wildflower walk ($$)MAC Gallery, Media
Sept. 26; Sept. 28: Best of the Media Film Festival screening; gallery opening reception and artists talkScott Arboretum, Swarthmore
Sept. 26 & 27: Botanical art with Hapa-Zome ($$), Art in the garden320 Market Café, Media
Sept. 27: Rose Tree Pops Jazz Combo performanceThe Foundry Church, Wallingford
Sept. 27 & 28: Delco Film Festival ($$)Downtown Media
Sept. 28: Media Open Streets – No cars!Delaware County Studio Tour
Sept. 28 & 29: Various locationsHelen Kate Furness Free Library, Wallingford
Sept. 28: ACT@Furness – singing, poetry, actingAcademy of International Ballet, Media
Sept. 28: Celebration of classic balletMedia Presbyterian Church
Sept. 28: Rose Tree Pops Orchestra concertThomas Leiper House
Sept. 28 & 29: Tours