Art on the Riverwalk a success

The City of Tonawanda showed off their creative side Saturday at the 9th Annual “Art on the Riverwalk.”

Thirty artists from all over Western New York set up their tents along the river at Niawanda Park to participate in the event; which Partners in Art owner Joan Horn, said is a prime location to hold it.

“It’s a perfect little gem of a show, in the most idyllic setting you could ask for,” she said.

The entry fee for the show is $50; artists had a chance to sell their work, using the waterfront as ambiance. The artwork on display ranged from realistic art, acrylic art, abstract art, and oil and watercolor paintings.

“It’s quite a good art show at a perfect location,” said Pottery Artist Junko McGee. “People enjoy not being pushed in a big crowd. They can relax here and enjoy the artwork.”

Although it’s not merely the background setting of the waterfront that makes the show unique; it’s also the volunteer system.

“We help set everything up, we bring the artists cold water and apples,” said Horn. “Old Man River donated $10 gift certificates so they can grab lunch. Anything we can do to try and make it easy for the artists to be comfortable and make a profit at the same time.”

The artists even had an opportunity to win cash prizes, the highest being a $400 “Best in Show” award. Organizers said they try to keep the show as simple and inexpensive as possible, so that everyone has a chance to participate.

“This is our first time. We always wanted to do it but never had enough stuff,” said local artist, Kay Learned. “So we decided to get together this year and go for it.”

Art on the Riverwalk was sponsored by Kaiser Cadillac, Partners in Art, Bob Gregg Art, Plak Art Plus, Old Man River and Pencil in the River Studio.

The winners are as follows:

• Best of Show- Paul Hanover for “Ike’s Barbeque”

• First place- Jody Ziehm for “Traditional Favorites”

• Second place- Jocelyn Willet for “Lily Bright”

• Third place- Michael McMahon for “General Mills”

• Honorable mention- Dan Meyey for “Border Crossing”

• Honorable mention- Dale Marriott for “Hobbit Oak”

• Honorable mention- “Len Rusin for “Resistance”

• Honorable mention- “Alex Brunner for “Waitin”