(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The 2023 Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival is "Where You'll Want to Be” on Saturday, August 19 from 11:00am-7:00pm and Sunday, August 20 from 10:00am-5:00pm along Haddon Avenue in beautiful downtown Collingswood.

The organizers of this much anticipated festival promise that their "Smashing Seventeenth" year will bring more than 180 juried craft and fine artists from the tri-state area and beyond who will offer: wearable art, display and functional pottery, blown and stained glass, fine and fashion jewelry, garden and home decor, soaps, scents, and pet gifts plus captivating fine art in watercolor, pastel, oil, collage, and decorative fine photography.

Visit “Artists’ Alley on Irvin Ave.” to view the work of emerging artists, take an art lesson from artist Jim Woodend, have a Caricature drawn by Frank Urbaniak, or get in on the action with creative family make-and-take art activities.

Catch a show while you walk! There will be live music playing throughout downtown - enjoy jazz, popular, and folk tunes - and be sure to check out the music tent sponsored by Collingswood Music at Lincoln and Haddon on both festival days.

Perkins Center for the Arts Collingswood, a treasure on Irvin Avenue, is once again offering exciting arts enrichment during the festival. On Saturday, for early risers, Yoga with Ritu at 9:00am is followed by a display of the artwork of the talented Perkins faculty, folk art crafters demonstrating basket weaving, henna design, duck decoy and mandala-making plus live music by Barry Hollander and a healing arts tent to complete the afternoon. An Artist's Reception Gala from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with music by the Able Speller Trio, a book signing by Tyrese Gould Jacinto and plein air art will complete the evening. On Sunday, the basket weaving and carving demonstrations continue and the Perkins upstairs Gallery will present a unique exhibit by Bancroft Neuroarts.

Workshops, demos, hands-on opportunities, music, and the Perkins Folklife Center Story Pad will all run throughout the two-day festival.

All of that walking is certain to work up an appetite! Take advantage of delicious dining as Collingswood's well regarded “Restaurant Row” welcomes you with cuisines from all over the world, casual or upscale. You can also enjoy festival favorites at additional food tents and trucks, all happening on Haddon Ave.

Take the opportunity to try your luck at the Ronald McDonald House raffle tents filled with fine art and craft works generously donated by festival artists in support of this compassionate cause.

Then, swing by the Parke Bank Tent for the chance to win a framed house portrait of your home by popular artist Jerry Knott - you’ll also find complimentary festival tote bags (while supplies last). Make it a day to remember with a souvenir festival t-shirt, for sale at the Information Booth.

On Saturday, the fun doesn't have to end at 7:00pm - grab dinner and stick around for the Market Night After Party from 5:00pm-9:00pm with extended hours for shops, boutiques, and select artists/crafters, sidewalk sales, live music, and special performances and activities. For more information about Market Night, click here. 

Perkins Center for the Arts will celebrate local artists and folk art crafters with a diverse lineup of activities throughout the weekend at this year’s Collingswood’s Crafts and Fine Art Festival. Serving as the key collaborator and anchor for Artist’s Alley on Irvin, Perkins will feature opportunities for artists to engage with festival attendees. 

For the first time in the Festival’s history, Perkins will welcome visitors to the Folklife Zone, showcasing tradition bearers and cultural artisans throughout South Jersey

Saturday Schedule

* 9:00am Yoga with Ritu

* 10:00am - 4:00pm: Artist’s Alley on Irvin, featuring booths with art by Perkins faculty and folk arts demonstrations

* 1:00pm-3:00pm Live music by Barry Hollander, musician, educator and host of Perkins’ Open Mic at Collingswood

* 2:00pm Demonstrations: Henna, Jersey Shore decoy carving, mandala-making and more

* 5:00pm-8:00pm Artist’s Reception for Tyrese Gould Jacinto’s exhibit and book signing: “Indigenous Fiber in My Art Bridging the Past to the Present” and “Indigenous Lands of New Jersey En Plein Air” exhibit

* 5:00pm - 8:00pm Live music by the Abe Speller Jazz Trio

Sunday Schedule

* 10:00am - noon: Folk arts demonstrations

* 10:00am - 5:00pm Bancroft Neuroarts exhibit in the upstairs gallery