Chalking it up at Riverhead's annual street painting festival
Everyone's an artist — if only for the day — at Riverhead's annual street painting festival. The afternoon event is a Memorial Day weekend tradition that invites visitors to transform a patch of pavement into a masterpiece. While plenty of professional artists demonstrate their craft to great fanfare, there's a different charm in seeing what happens when newbies take up some brightly colored chalk.
When you're done painting, there's an arts and crafts festival besides live music and plenty of food vendors — but there's something to be said for taking a slow stroll to marvel at the work unfolding. Here are some mosaics from last year:
WHEN | WHERE Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 27, in downtown Riverhead between East and Roanoke avenues and on the grounds of East End Arts Council, 133 E. Main St. Rain date 2-5 p.m. Monday, May 28, at East End Arts Council.
INFO 631-727-0900, eastendarts.org
ADMISSION Free ($20 to paint a square includes supplies; register in advance to paint a sponsored square)
Lily Love Manfredi, 3, of Northport
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Lily Love Manfredi, 3, of Northport
Mom Jordan Manfredi, left, participated for the first time in the festival last year. "We had such a good time," she said. "It really was a lot of scribbles -- we weren't drawing anything in particular and having fun and making a mess."
Bethany Johnson of Queens and Bryan Landsberg of Centereach
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Artists Johnson and Landsberg show their work in progress at last year's festival.
Katie Better of Glen Cove
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
The commercial illustrator and chalk artist is a regular at this and other festivals around the country and in Europe devoted to art.
Julianna Cicero of Bohemia
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
The 15-year-old worked "three straight hours" on her version of "Starry Night," says the artist's mother, Gina.
Kate McHugh of Shoreham
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
McHugh, 19, displays her work of beauty and tranquility at last year's festival.
Christina Paladino of Sound Beach
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Paladino, 25, makes a statement as she pauses with her work, titled "Hold on to Your Heart."
Kristin Walsh of Yaphank
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Walsh, 25, spreads her wings with her striking bird.
Kimberly Guthrie of Calverton
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Guthrie, 19, gives the hair on her portrait a colorful hue.
Marissa Brockhoff of East Quogue
Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Brockhoff, 25, left, works on her piece, called "Unity," while her mother, Tracy, helps to color.
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