Arts fair to feature eclectic attractions

The Danforth East Arts Fair will be kicking off its third annual event with a number of new, eclectic attractions, including an “SUV-sized” ball of yarn.

The event will be taking place at East Lynn Park, located at 1949 Danforth Ave. on Sept. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fair, which attracted about 2,000 people per day in their inaugural 2009 event, will feature approximately 50 artists and artisans selling their wares.

The Danforth East Community Association is responsible for the arts fair. Board member Mary Cowan stressed that this year is about much more than selling art.

“The emphasis this year is really on participation and watching the artists do their work,” she said. “We’ve also added food to the events, and acoustic music as well.”

Markham duo the Married Spinners will hope to keep the ball rolling, literally, as they use an antique machine to spin a massive mound of fleece into a ball of yarn.

Other attractions include Horst Herget, a photographer who will be taking vintage portraits and Meter by Meter’s Priya Rajan, an artisan who makes vegan handbags.

Cowan said the organizers of the event hope to present an opportunity for the whole neighbourhood to enjoy art.

“Art always has the danger of being stuffy and too rigid,” she said. “We really aim to make art something the entire community (can) enjoy.”

Toronto Hydro Corporation is sponsoring the event and ice cream, cappuccinos and brunch will be available.

Cowan said that while the event is “not as big as Luminato”, it is growing – they have 15 additional artists this year and have ramped up their outreach effort from 5,000 flyers to about 9,000.

“What’s interesting is that when you do this kind of thing, you don’t realize how much really goes into it,” Cowan said.