LEWISTON, New York — As the summer months approach Artpark will be offering special events and programs in celebration of their 50th anniversary this season.
Dave Wedekindt, Interim President of Artpark & Company remarks, “While a milestone anniversary is a natural occasion to look back, we are also looking forward to the next 50 years. When visiting the grounds this year patrons will see a transformation in some of the ways they will move about and enjoy the park, setting the stage for the Artpark 2030 vision plan which we are working to reveal to the public in the near future.”
He continues, “Artpark is a beautiful place, but it’s our people who truly make it great. Artpark & Company’s dedicated Board of Directors and our event volunteers who give tirelessly of their time and support. The generous donors, members, foundations and sponsors who help us fulfill our non-profit mission. Our partners, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and elected officials. The seasonal employees offering service or teaching with a smile. The Village and Town of Lewiston, and the many patrons such as yourself who purchase tickets and concessions. And last but not least, our talented staff who inspire with their energy, knowledge, commitment and creativity every day.”
At the park the community can enjoy a wide variety of both family-friendly, adult, and child centered programs. The event and program schedule is as follows:
Artpark Mainstage Theater
- May 25 - Gary Clark Jr. with Abraham Alexander
- June 18 - Sarah McLachlan with Feist
- June 21 - Bonnie Raitt with James Hunter
- July 6 - Norah Jones with Mavis Staples
- July 14 – Puccini’s Greatest: A Gala Opera Concert: Starring three-time Grammy Award-winning Soprano, Latonia Moore, Tenor, Won Whi Choi, Baritone, Michael Chioldi & featuring the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra w/Artpark Festival Chorus Conducted by Grammy-award winning Gil Rose.
- July 16 - Jamey Johnson with Ben Haggard
- August 3 - The Machine Performs Pink Floyd with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
- August 20 - Tedeschi Trucks Band with Margo Price
- September 7 - Cage The Elephant with Young The Giant and Bakar and Willow Avalon
Artpark Amphitheater
- May 31 - Los Lonely Boys with Thee Sinseers and The Altons
- June 22 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Jackie Venson and Farrow
- June 28 - Dispatch with special guest to be announced
- July 1 - Orville Peck with The War and Treaty and Goldie Boutilier
- July 19 - Train with Yacht Rock Revue
- July 22 - The Flaming Lips
- July 24 - Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo with The Vindys (Artpark’s 50th Birthday Celebration)
- July 29 - Two Door Cinema Club with Flipturn
- July 30 - SLASH S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival with SLASH, Keb’ Mo’, ZZ Ward, and Robert Randolph
- August 10 - Backroads Blues Festival with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Rush, and Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel
- August 11 - Gin Blossoms + Toad the Wet Sprocket with Vertical Horizon
- August 13 - Stray Cats with The Midnight Cowgirls
- August 16 - Blues Traveler + Big Head Todd and the Monsters
- August 17 - BUSH with Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox and Bones UK
- August 27 - O.A.R. with Ripe and DJ Logic
- August 29 - Cole Swindell with Tigirlily Gold
New Music in the Park Series
- August 18 - Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop at the outdoor Emerald Grove Stage (Lower Park)
- August 25 - UltraSound: The Secret Symphony of Plants at Artpark Mainstage Theater
Live Plant Installations: July 13, 2024 from 11am-6pm, July 27, 2024 from 11am-4pm and August 3, 2024 from 11am-4pm
Unique Outdoor Festivals & Events:
- June 29 –Strawberry Moon Festival featuring Smoke Dance Competitions and live performances by Robert “Freightrain” Parker, Tonemah (Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora), and Geneviève Gros-Louis Salamone from the Huron-Wendat Nation.
- July 13 – Artpark Fairy House Festival featuring a performance by Jon Lehrer Dance Company and Artpark Bridges and tour the woods to discover Fairy Houses by local artists.
- July 24 - 50th Anniversary Gala: Celebrate Artpark’s 50th Birthday. Enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Oliver’s, open bar, signature cocktails and exciting auctions on the Mainstage Theater. Then up to the Amphitheater Skyboxes to enjoy dessert and more excitement at the Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo concert followed by a spectacular fireworks celebration! Contact Wendy Diina at wdiina@artpark.net or 716-754-9000, ext. 154 to purchase Gala table sponsorships and tickets.
- August 10 - Cirque Kikasse, Alouette by Brandon Vickerd, Trail of Treaties and Free Family Saturdays to be featured at The Lewiston Arts Festival in conjunction with Artpark.
- August 31 - 3rd Annual Better Off Read Summer Book Festival in Lower Park. Free to attend.
Creations and Libations
Artpark has expanded its series of art-making for Adults 21+ with the following programs that include beverage options along with your custom created art masterpiece! Space is limited.
- Libations & Landscape: June 7, 14, August 2, 16
Two sessions per date: 3:30pm-5:30pm & 6pm-8pm
$50 per person
- Sipping & Cyanotypes: July 6 & 12
Two sessions per date: 1pm-2:30pm & 3pm-4:30pm $35 per person - Wine & Wheels: June 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27 July 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
$65 per person
Education & Exploration at Artpark
- An exciting new field-trip program for Elementary, Middle and High School-aged children created to help young people explore, self-educate and invigorate ideas within nature.
Included are workshops that focus on topics of social justice, equity, environmental sustainability, culture and freedom through the arts and will be led by a variety of local teaching artists including members of the Haudenosaunee. Also featured are live raptor flight demonstrations, Niagara-Gorge hikes, geology talks, and history walks. Artpark is a site for Indigenous people, the first Railroad, British Troops, French Troops and a stop for Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad.
This program is for organized groups and organizations with 15-150 participants.
For more information please contact: twinslow@artpark.net
Indigenous Programs
- Medicine Wheel Workshops - June 11, July 16 & August 13, 10am-12pm
- Trail of Treaties- August 10 & 11 at the Lewiston Art Festival
- Stories by the Fire with Indigenous Elders, August TBD
Family Fun At Artpark
- Visual Arts Camps - Open to students ages 9-14 and taught by professional artists. Three one-week sessions are available: July 8-12, 15-19 & 22-26. Advance registration is required and space is limited.
- Free Family Saturdays - A family-favorite featuring FREE weekly themed arts and creative activities for children of all ages and abilities on July 6 - Art of Weather , July 20 - Art of Sports, July 27 - Art of Plants & August 3- Art of Birds
- Live Raptors at Night: Flying with Owls, August TBD
Celebrating Artists in Residency
- Craig Walsh; June 11-24, Monuments at Artpark will debut August 9 and run until August 18th
- Jon Lehrer Dance Company: In residence July 1-13. Free public performance on July 13 at 3PM on the Emerald Grove stage (Lower Park)
The performance on July 13 will feature two of Lehrer’s most well known works, his latest creation, and a world premiere:
- Bridge and Tunnel - a playful homage to growing up in Queens, NY set to the music of Paul Simon.
- A Ritual Dynamic - the piece that started it all in 2007!
- mingos! - premiered in September 2023, this wild comedic romp tells the story of a Flamboyance of Flamingos who turn into an Ostentation of Peacocks.
- Tiffany Mills Company: July 30-August 3, with performance August 3 at 3:30pm
- Brandon Vickerd: August 7-9, Alouette installation August 9-22 in the Village of Lewiston
- Edreys and Alexa Wajed of Eat off Art: September 8-26, Freedom Mural opens September 27
To learn more visit www.artpark.net
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