Cathy Dobson/The Independent

A new arts festival expected to attract thousands this August will stretch from Mitton Village, through downtown and on to Sarnia Bay.

Artpath is intended to regenerate the vibrancy and sense of community that Artwalk created for nearly two decades, say organizers.

It’s similar in that it will offer space to artists, musicians, vendors and handcrafts, but Artpath will also promote mobility by encouraging people to walk or bicycle from one area to the next, said co-founder Pat Coutu. 

Artwalk had enormous success in attracting as many as 25,000 to the downtown core for 17 years but folded before the pandemic.  Attempts during the pandemic to close Christina Street for outdoor entertainment and street sales had some success but Coutu said he wants to bring back a larger annual festival that encompasses a wider area of the community.

Backed by $40,000 from title sponsor Suncor, the first Artpath is scheduled for Aug. 16 and 17 and will feature at least 10 theme areas that co-ordinator Kylie Marsden calls art pods.  Each pod will host mini-markets showcasing local handmade art and products.  They will be located along a route that includes Maud’s Variety in Mitton Village, the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, several other downtown locations, the Suncor Agora in Centennial Park and Paddy Flaherty’s on Sarnia Bay.

Coutu approached numerous groups including NuSarnia Foundation, which is assisting with the festival and is committed to making it mobility-friendly.  For instance, cycling from one mini-market to the next will be encouraged and an area will be designated to rent bikes, park them and even repair them. Art pods will include one designated for everything related to pets, another for mind and wellness, one for live music and another for multi-culturalism.

Shawn McKnight, founder of the original Artwalk in 2002, has been brought on as an advisor.

“It’s crucial for artists and communities to have inclusive celebrations and work together,” said McKnight at the kickoff for Artpath. “I spent decades developing a cultural and historical downtown, and now this event will spread artists out into the community even more.  It feels great.”

Marsden, a hobby artist, has been hired as Artpath co-ordinator and said the goal is to have more than 100 vendors and artists the first year with at least 10,000 visitors over the weekend.

Vendors and artists are invited to apply online (artpathsarnia.ca) for a $200 fee, Marsden said. “If you stay the full two days, you get $150 of that back.”

Businesses are encouraged to participate with sidewalk sales and live music, she said.  “And one of our goals is to beautify downtown and create permanent art installations.” 

Sarnia is full of people who care about their community and “are working hard to clean things up,” Marsden said.  The pandemic was hard on local business but downtown’s vibrancy has already started to return, said Coutu, a longtime downtown property owner.

“Every community has struggled to regain momentum after Covid,” he said.  “There are a lot of thriving downtown businesses but the area as a whole could use some positive energy.”

The City of Sarnia has already agreed to waive fees for Artpath and organizers plan to ask council on April 29 to close Davis, Lochiel and George streets in the blocks that connect Christina and Front streets.  Unlike Artwalk, Christina Street will not be closed.

Conor Poutney, VP of the local Suncor refinery, was at the kickoff and said Artpath is receiving Suncor’s most significant event sponsorship to date because of the potential it has to impact Sarnia’s quality of life.

“Suncor has been a part of the community for over 70 years and we’re looking forward to an event that’s going to get a whole lot of people together and generate some excitement in the community,” he said.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT? The first Artpath Sarnia, a free cultural festival

WHEN? Weekend of Aug. 16 & 17; 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE?  Mitton Village, downtown Sarnia, Sarnia Bay

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Vendors, artists can contact artpathsarnia.ca. Forward sponsorship inquiries to [email protected].