The centerpiece of the area’s longest-running summertime celebration of arts and community is the Sidewalk Art Show. The festival dates back 84 years, with only two missed years in its history — once for construction of the education wing and once for COVID-19 lockdowns.
This juried week-long outdoor art exhibition has long been a part of the Munson Arts Festival, with the current edition running July 23-29. Some changes are coming in 2023, designed to enhance the experience for visitors and participants alike.
Instead of the exposed sidewalks of Genesee Street, the art show will be under a tent, giving shade to visitors and artwork alike.
This change mirrors past festivals, as researched through mid-20th century archival photographs, where the exhibition of community art took place under tents. By moving under cover, the festival becomes an all-weather event that protects the artwork without sacrificing display space.
Works for the Sidewalk Art Show juried exhibition may be submitted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1 at the Museum of Art. Each artist may submit one work; not every work submitted will be placed on view.
Adult artists who reside within a 40-mile radius of Utica may submit artwork. Students in grades 9 through 12 in the current school year who reside in a 40-mile radius of Utica can submit artwork to be judged with work by other high school students.
Paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, computer-generated art and small sculptures will be accepted. No crafts, films or videos. Works must be securely framed. Watercolors, drawings, prints and photographs must be framed under plexiglass. Maximum outer dimensions, including frame, are 44 inches by 48 inches wide by 2 inches deep. Maximum sculpture dimensions are 24 by 24 by 24 inches.
Registration is free to Munson Members, high school students, and SNAP/EBT card holders. For all others, a nonrefundable $15 is payable by cash, check or credit card.
This year, Community Arts students from the Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Winter/Spring 2023 semesters will have their registration for the Sidewalk Art Show waived.
You can either preregister online here or you can print and complete the registration form and bring it with you when you submit your artwork, click here to download the call for entries form.