March 28, 2024

Community of Creativity: The SOBO Arts Fest

June 18, 2015


Starting a Festival If you’re looking for an event that’s truly a community effort, look no further than Boyne City’s SOBO Arts Festival.

Founded by Lake Street Market owner Liz Glass, the fest is now in its sixth year, thanks to the added efforts of Freshwater Studio’s Robin Lee Berry and Tony Williams; the Boyne Arts Collective; and local fellow artists Jerry Douglas and Cindy Franco.

An outgrowth of the SOBO Arts District (the southern part of Boyne City/South Lake Street), the fest is one of many ways Boyne City has been utilizing smart marketing. Revitalizing long-vacant buildings with new businesses and adding special events helped revive this artsy neighborhood, and the arts fest itself is now one of the major draws.

"Because of this entrepreneurial thinking, Boyne City is becoming a destination for arts and entertainment, shopping and dining," said 2015 Festival Committee Chairperson Becky Harris. "And their vision started a movement that is branding Boyne even beyond SOBO."

Overlooking the Lake

Originally located squarely in the SOBO neighborhood, the festival expanded quickly and began looking for a new, more comfortable location that could accommodate its growing patronage.

"The festival was moved out of SOBO proper to a shoreline park and then into the Veterans Park," Robin Lee Berry explained.

While the location has changed, the backdrop shifting from urban to lakeside, the fest’s purpose remains the same: celebrating the visual, performing, written and audible arts.

"As always, we want to provide a cultural experience for our patrons and for the artists," Harris said. "But, the spirit of SOBO absolutely goes with us to the new location. Overlooking Lake Charlevoix is just a bonus!"

Bring in the Art!

More than 40 artists will display works in the juried art show, where attendees can purchase art, as well as observe the pros at work via demonstrations and workshops. Artworks include blown glass, jewelry, pottery and fiber arts, as well as classic painting mediums like watercolors and oils.

A new addition to the fest is the Plein Air Paint-Out, a one-day outdoor painting competition that runs from 8am-3pm.

"After the Paint-Out, the paintings will be for sale at an exhibition reception at Northern Table restaurant at 4pm," Harris said.

Harris also suggests taking time to view the new Walkabout Sculpture show, a half-dozen sculptures scattered around town, including locations on the lake and in the SOBO district.

"Actually, I’m sure some of the plein air artists will select these as a subject!" she said.

Outdoor Extravaganza

A new feature at the fest this year is sure to add some bohemian flair.

"The Gypsy Artists’ Caravan will be bringing a mobile entertainment stage and mobile studio to the festival," Harris explained. "It will feature both visual and performance artists, and they will be working, displaying, performing and selling their work right at the event."

Live music and author signings are also part of the festival’s schedule. And, of course, there will be refreshments, in the form of one of the most popular trends in outdoor food vending: food trucks.

"This year’s food trucks feature Luckey’s Coney Island, The Landings and the Lions Club, along with other outstanding food vendors from the farmers market," Harris confirmed.

Where will you find Harris during all of the festivities?

"I’ll be browsing all of the cool art!" she said.

The 2015 SOBO Arts Festival takes place June 26-27 in downtown Boyne City. For more information, visit soboartsfestival.com.

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