Art celebration set for June 15 in Blawnox

A celebration of all things art soon will take place in Blawnox.

The third annual Spring Art Fling along Freeport Road is set for Saturday, June 15.

Sponsored by Dollar Bank and presented by the nonprofit Best of Blawnox, it’s a chance for families to check out paintings, drawings, ceramics, jewelry, glassblowing and other art mediums while seeing what the borough’s business district has to offer.

“There’s a ton of vendors that are participating this year, quite a bit more than last year,” said event committee member Michael Ninehouser, co-owner of Blue Rose Custom Frame Parlor.

“We have a lot of people who will be selling their art and doing demonstrations as well. We’re trying to have interactive stuff for kids as well. Definitely a lot to do.”

Nearly 20 vendors have signed up to participate. Members of Pittsburgh Glass Center are expected to bring their Hot Wheels, a mobile workshop, and create fresh, new pieces.

Other vendors include Watercolors by Roz, Janet Carlisle Art and Taylorart, Evil Toaster Art, Reimagined Recycling and FOUND by Tara and Barcino Creations.

Musical guests include the band American Bloom.

Committee member Angi Yucas said they have expanded the layout up part of North Avenue to the Hoboken Presbyterian Church.

Squonk Opera with have its giant purple hands on the lawn for people to maneuver and play with. A basket raffle will be in the church’s basement.

“Each year, we get more ideas and bring more people in and different kinds of art,” Yucas said. “Everything was too condensed last year. We need more space, and the sidewalks along Freeport Road don’t give us enough space.”

Yucas said planning for the event is a team effort.

“We start planning at the beginning of the year,” she said. “It is such fun looking for ways to engage our community, especially children, in learning about different forms of artistic expression. This is our third year, and we have continued to expand our offerings each time — particularly vendors and musical groups.”

Ninehouser and his wife, Michelle Babkes, are organizing a scavenger hunt based on six pieces of art.

Children can pick up a card at the Best of Blawnox booth and search for the listed artwork scattered throughout the area. Those who find all six can turn in their cards for a chance to win a one-year membership to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

“We angle it for education purposes,” Ninehouser said about the hunt. “There are different artists that kids in the neighborhood might not have had much exposure to yet. They match the information to the pieces. This would be the second year of us doing this (scavenger hunt). Last year, there were quite a few kids in it. We’re hoping for a bigger turnout this year.”

Blue Rose and a coffee shop across the street will showcase art from Fox Chapel Area High School students.

People also will get a chance to see the new mural near Rick’s Barber Shop at the corner of Freeport Road and Maple Avenue. It was made by artist Lee Steadman, who is expected to be at the event.