Forklift and colored smoke art part of Munson-Williams festival starting July 12

It’s not just the lawn in front of Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute that will be transformed during its annual arts festival.

Genesee Street in front of the arts museum will be, too — by a forklift using pyrotechnic smoke bombs. Former Sculpture Space artist Rosemarie Fiore will create the temporary painting on a closed section of the street from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 16.

The sidewalk smoke art will bring new flavor to an event full of annual favorites, including the sidewalk art show, antique and classic car show and Big Ol’ Steamrollin’ Print Invitational, from July 12-17.

Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute's Sidewalk Art Show returns on July 12, featuring local art, live music and a vintage car show.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute's Sidewalk Art Show returns on July 12, featuring local art, live music and a vintage car show.

“It’s different,” said Bob Mortis, director of performing arts at MWPAI. “And we wanted to bring something cool and different.”

Fiore will hold a workshop to create and use drawing tools from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 15.

There will be 200 fascinating works by local artists in the sidewalk art show, mounted on display boards outside the museum. Local musicians will perform throughout the event, children can try their hands at crafts and other points of interest, like bonsai trees, will be a part of it.

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The chance for locals to showcase their talent is one reason the event is such an annual draw, said Mortis.

“I think it’s a way that we try to embrace the community and the talents that they have,” he said.

The festival is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during its run from Tuesday, July 12 through Sunday, July 17.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Munson-Williams annual arts festival returns on July 12