Photo Courtesy of Berkley Street Art Fest.
Summertime means getting out, having fun and, if you’re a kid or a kid at heart, drawing with sidewalk chalk until the fireflies come out. That warm-weather tradition is stepping up a notch or two with the annual Berkley Street Art Fest, which is back and even more activities for kids, families and anyone who loves local art.
The annual Berkley Street Art Fest will take place this year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 7. This is an exciting return to a favorite event because last year’s Art Fest had to be canceled due to the pandemic. But the downtown art competition has returned and will include the new Shop for Good Village, which will bring new artists to Berkley.
Per its tradition, the Berkley Street Art Fest includes the return of professional as well as newbie chalk artists. Together, they will receive a section of land where they can create anything in their imagination for prizes and more. The public can watch the art being made, admire the various murals and enjoy music and activities around downtown Berkley.
New this year is the Shop for Good Village, a curated collection of handmade product makers and sellers, with a primary focus of “Doing Good” on a local or global scale. Shop for Good Village will offer upcycled/recycled items, ethically produced handmade global products, vegan and/or organic handmade products and handmade products benefitting local at-risk and special-needs communities.
“We’re so glad to be able to host the Berkley Street Art Fest again this year, but time for our artists to apply is limited and we’re hoping people spread the word as we work to cultivate the best of the best,” said Darlene Rothman, executive director of the Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is an incredibly unique opportunity and we expect a strong interest from our neighbors and those participating in the Shop for Good Village.”
The Berkley Street Art Fest’s Shop for Good Village, chalk-art competition and DJ will be located on Coolidge Highway between Catalpa and Beverly. The Berkley Street Art Fest is made possible by the Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by the MSU Federal Credit Union.
“Shop for Good has been a few years in the making,” said Susan Rogal, owner of the VITRINE Gallery in Downtown Berkley and a longtime festival supporter. “People can feel good buying from these artisans and vendors, knowing they’re not only supporting an individual artist, but also that they’re supporting an artist whose mission is focusing on the greater good and making an impact.”
The festival opens for artists at 8 a.m. with a check in to register. Artwork judging begins at 3 p.m. and the artist awards will take place at 4:45 p.m. Parking in Berkley is free. The best places to park are in the parking east of Berkley High School off of Catalpa or the side streets unless designated as no parking.
The Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce encompasses Berkley, Huntington Woods and North Oak Park. The Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce and its members are dedicated to creating and sustaining a positive business climate within the Berkley area by connecting with each other, local governments and the community.
