Summer Celebration of the Arts in South Pasadena

The South Pasadena Art Crawl will have events and entertainment for the whole family. – Courtesy photo / South Pasadena Chamber

Artists, musicians, and merchants gear up to celebrate the summer season with another fun and family friendly “Neighborhood Night-on-the-Town” on Saturday, July 20, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and produced by SPACE, the South Pasadena Arts Crawl welcomes people of all ages to this free event which offers art exhibition and activities, live music, open houses, food and drink specials, and sales throughout the business district. Mission Street, and adjacent blocks, will be with lively with event activities.

Artist Maddie Saunders heads up a free for all-ages, art-making activity at the Heritage Plaza, located next to the Metro Gold Line station. Participants will learn how to make wind chimes using natural wood and other materials. Down Mission Street, Two Kids Coffee presents a complimentary “Black and White Transfer Prints” workshop utilizing a photo on your phone or camera. At Larry’s Union Service, Pasadena Chalk Festival winner, artist Ronny Johnson will create a chalk mural dedicated to the parrots and/or ostriches that have called South Pasadena home. Poet Leah Clancy will be stationed along the main event route and will be dishing out haikus on her typewriter for the public.

Don’t miss out on the evening’s art openings. Jones Coffee Roasters will exhibit artwork by Nicholas Bonamy, including his original painting for the summer Arts Crawl poster. Old Focals showcases illustrator Breon Bliss and work by Farley Crawford Bliss. The SPARC Gallery at the Chamber of Commerce presents the opening reception for “Textiles Today: Exploring New Possibilities.” Curated by Shelley Stephens; the group show features local artists Cynthia Thiel, Lillian Montalvo, Melanie Ciccone, Val Echavarria and Victoria Arriola, and will run until Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, at The Dinosaur Farm, David Plenn will curate “The Kids Are Alright,” an evening of live music by singers/songwriters under the age of 21 and will also offer face painting by makeup artist, Cristina Bartolucci.

SPARC will also activate the City Hall courtyard with a string trio playing from 6-8 p.m., an interactive coloring activity for youth, and a photography pop-up. The SPARC Gallery at City Hall will have two shows on display, “Tinkering” by artist Valerie Wilcox and “Childhood 101,” a photography series by Kathleen Laraia McLaughlin.

There will be several stops along the event route to get your foodie fix. Shiro will be mixing up a specialty champagne mojito. Radhika Modern Indian offers a 15% discount. Aro Latin will create a surprise Arts Crawl special. Sus Arepas, a new food truck addition to the Crawls, will be serving up arepas and other South American eats. The Sticky Rice food truck, back by popular demand, will offer authentic Thai street food.

Artisans and food vendors will be on site. – Courtesy photo / South Pasadena Chamber

The Artisans’ Alley, an outdoor marketplace near the Metro, features over 12 artisans and makers showcasing a variety of unique items including ceramics, papier-mâché ornaments, handmade jewelry, organic soaps, accessories, and other one-of-a-kind goods. Participating artisans include ArtGirls Collective, Bellagazoo Jewels, Beyond Blue Ceramics, Elisa’s Designs and Lioness Jewelry, Jikits, Melissa Finstead Jewelry, Orpheus, Polyfaction, SOPA Artists, Stephanie Stein Designs, Stitching Fables and Wato Soap.

An event map with a complete list of activities, performers, business participants, and more will be on the Chamber’s website (southpasadena.net).

Patrons can park in the Mission/Meridian Parking lot (north of Mission Street, on Meridian), and walk to the participating shops and boutiques. The Metro Gold Line South Pasadena Station will put you right in the heart of the event.

The quarterly Arts Crawls are presented by the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and produced by SPACE, to provide a showcase for artists and musicians and to highlight the city’s unique business district. More information can be found online at SouthPasadena.net, or visit the Facebook page: facebook.com/ArtsCrawlSouthPasadena/.

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