LAZY DAZE GOES TO THE DOGS
For the first time in its 17 year history, there is a particularly canine twist to the annual Lazy Daze of Summer Festival: this year’s event will be known as the Lazy “Dog” Daze. A Great Dane named Mozart that paints with his paws got things rolling last year when his owner inquired about bringing him to the show. Due to a scheduling conflict, the painting dog from Cincinnati could not participate in 2009, but he and some 60 other selected artists are planning to be on site to demonstrate their unique wares on Saturday, July 24th from 11 am to 6 pm.
Lazy Daze planners from the Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Arts Council think this year’s dog-themed event will be especially fun and look forward to welcoming craftspeople and artists from all over Ohio to the festival. “So many people in our community have a pet dog that enriches their lives. The mission of our organization is to enrich the life of the community through experiences that promote, support, and encourage the arts, art education & creativity. We think this year’s Lazy Daze will certainly make that happen,” says Ruthanne James, Arts Council president and one of three Lazy Daze co-chairpersons.
As usual, the event will be centered on the lawn and streets surrounding the Grandview Library, 1685 West First Avenue. Day long entertainment will be provided on the main stage east of the Library. Festival food vendors will be close by, some offering “dogs and suds” – hotdogs and root beer – in the spirit of the day. Several of the event’s Platinum sponsors will be featured in booths along First Avenue. Members First Credit Union, Bello Giardino and the Library itself will host special activities to greet festival goers as they stroll the length of the craft exhibits which extend from Fairview Avenue two blocks west to Ashland Avenue.
“We expect some 4,000 or more people to start showing up about 11, to check out this year’s unique blend of handcrafted products. We have everything from funky duct tape art, batik wear and dog accessories to beautiful handmade furniture and jewelry, and even goat milk soaps. There’s always something for everyone to admire,” added craft exhibitor coordinator and another co-chair, Jeri Diehl Cusack, “and we have a Silent Auction of donated items, plus free children’s art activities during the afternoon”.
Co-chair Madelaine Gordon emphasizes that the Arts Council not only promotes artwork and performances at Lazy Daze, but other local not-for-profit groups, as well. This year’s special guest booth will feature Golden Endings, a rescue organization for golden retrievers. “We usually offer a free space to a local entity which fosters the arts, but this year we wanted to stay with our dog theme and Golden Endings came to mind.” They will join about a dozen other nonprofits, including several other pet-related groups to share their news about the great things they are doing in the “Community Showcase” near Ashland and West First.
As always, volunteers are needed to help set up, staff the event. Volunteer coordinators Sonya Feathers and Nancy Kukla assign folks tasks which help the Arts Council make Lazy Daze happen. “We are known for the friendly way we treat our participants, some of who are visiting Grandview for the first time” says Feathers, so anyone who has an hour or two to help on July 24th is encouraged to call Feathers at 832-7190. Those who work four hours earn a free Lazy Daze 2010 t-shirt which sports a Scottie dog with a pink paint-dripping brush. “Local graphic artist Mike Dexter of IDC Design Group creates the most wonderful posters and shirts for Lazy Daze!” claims James. “This year’s artwork is particularly charming, as Mike loves dogs, too!”.
Exhibitor form can be found at left. The deadline for applications was April 30th, 2010.
If you have any questions about Lazy Daze, feel free to contact us. 