Manayunk hosts largest juried outdoor art festival in tri-state area

The 29th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival took over Main Street on June 23 and 24, welcoming artists and spectators to enjoy a weekend filled with craftsmanship and originality.

Artists from all over the country who specialize in mediums ranging from painting, to jewelry making, to woodwork, attended for an opportunity to sell original pieces and to appreciate the work of other artists.

Restaurants and boutiques also participated in the festival,  as well as event sponsors sprinkled throughout the crowd offering attendees free giveaways.

Jon Bandish, a Philadelphia-based painter, has participated in the festival for the last two years as an artist, but has attended the event as a spectator since high school. Bandish describes the event  as one of the most prestigious art festivals in the area.

“The festival is like a giant block party filled with artists and art appreciators,” Bandish said.

Submissions for the festival are split up into two categories: artists and emerging artists. Bandish has participated in the festival in the emerging artists category for the last two years.

Among Bandish and the other 300 artists participating in the festival, Marianne Janik has been traveling for the last six years from Portsmouth, N.H. to sell custom-made jewelry from her brand Calli b.  

Janik originally learned about the Manayunk Arts Festival by word of mouth and now looks forward to making the trip every year.

“Manayunk is an amazing little artist community,” Janik said. “The whole atmosphere is just amazing – the artists, the people, the music, the little cafes outside.  People come for the whole entire day just to shop.”

Janik said one of her favorite things about the Manayunk Arts Festival is that it allows people to  connect with the artists and the original handmade art.

“The internet doesn’t allow people to see small artists and what they really do, which is why this experience is so positive and amazing because it lets the people meet the maker,” Janik said.

Despite the scattered rain storms on Saturday, spectators like Jack Daly ’19 were not discouraged from roaming Main Street to attend the rain-or-shine event. Although Daly currently lives in Manayunk, this was his first time attending the arts festival.

“I’m always looking for new things to do in Manayunk,” Daly said. “I’ve done the food truck festival a couple of times, but the arts festival is a first for me. As someone who’s always been more involved in athletics than the arts, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing all of the different original artwork.”  

After attending the Manayunk Arts Festival, Daly said he’s happy he went and will be adding this to his list of things to do during the summer.  

“I really enjoyed it,” Daly said. “I didn’t buy anything, but I saw a lot of cool things and got some cool giveaways from sponsors along the way. I’ll definitely be going back next summer with either friends or family.”  

The main purpose of the festival for Bandish along with the other artists is to get publicity for their work and encourage spectators to leave with a piece of original artwork.

“My goal is to sell everything that I come with,” Bandish said. “There is something very special about going home with an original piece of art.  It makes a house a home, it engages and inspires you.”