Collingswood Crafts & Fine Arts Festival Enters Sixth Year

For its sixth year, the Collingswood Crafts & Fine Arts Festival returns next month, bringing anywhere from 130 and 150 artisans to the borough.

The two-day event will be held along Haddon Avenue, from Harvard Avenue to Lees Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday August 20, and again on Sunday, August 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival creator Sheila Goodman—who helped create the ongoing 19 years ago—said she had good reason for bringing the event to Collingswood six years ago.

"I created the Haddonfield festival (alongside town officials), and founded it for many years, because I used to own an American craft gallery there, called N.K. Thaine Gallery," said Goodman. "An artist friend of mine, Peggy Friend, ran it there for 11 years.

"And then, (Haddonfield) took a bit of a different direction with the event, and we parted ways," she said. "That's when I came down to Collingswood, spoke with (Mayor James Maley), and they were interested in starting it here."

Goodman said she and Collingswood officials chose August to hold the festival, because its a month when not many other events occur.

"And its been successful ever since we brought it to Collingswood," said Goodman. "It’s a nice pairing to the renewal of downtown, with all Collingswood's new restaurants and businesses. I think it’s a fine way to showcase the town and bring visitors in."

Goodman said she chose to bring her idea to Collingswood for a few different reasons.

"We wanted to take it onto our own, in Collingswood, because Haddonfield had started adding a lot more artists down side streets (off the main street), and had raised some of the admission fees," she said. "We felt there was a difference in the way they wanted the show perceived.

"Having owned my own art gallery, I'm always on the artists' side, and want to do what's good for them—because it's what's good for the town," she said.

Up to 150 fine artists and crafters will filter into Collingswood next month, and Goodman said this year's event will feature more family-based art activities than in past years.

Paisley Pickles, a children's musician, will be playing live music, and radio station KYW will host a Kid's-Cast during the festival. BEN-FM 95.7 will be hosting family art activities and finger-painting, and are sending on-air personality Marilyn Russell, who hosts the station's morning drive segment.

The festival's presenting sponsor is Subaru, who will bring brand new cars to exhibit and host giveaways throughout the two-day event. Goodman said they're even bringing some surprises this year.

Ten Collingswood-based restaurants have agreed to participate by serving outdoor, al-fresco style dishes to patrons.

The best part of the festival? It's free to enter.

Goodman said the festival is funded via its sponsors, and through artists who pay for their booths.

The event, according to Goodman, comprises two-thirds crafts and one-third fine arts and photography.

"Collingswood has been very welcoming and helpful," said Goodman of the past six years. "And the people are really, really wonderful to work with."

For more information about the event, visit collingswood.com, or call 609-487-2606.