Riverhead, NY - February 9, 2017 - East End Arts is pleased to announce an open call for artist participation in the 21^st Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival to be held Sunday, May 28, 2017, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in downtown Riverhead, NY. This beloved annual fun-for-the-whole-family festival includes street painting on East Main Street, a fine arts and crafts fair of local artists and artisans, live music and entertainment, children's activities, drumming, dance, food trucks, and more.

Photo by Stephanie Smith.

This event draws over 5,000 local residents and tourists to downtown Riverhead for this Memorial Day Weekend tradition where families and friends, artists, musicians, and lovers of the arts, young and old, enjoy the creative spirit together. All activities take place in downtown Riverhead on East Main Street, between Roanoke Ave and East Street, and on the grounds of East End Arts (133 and 141 East Main Street.) This event is sponsored by Bridgehampton National Bank.

“I Madonnari” is a street painting art form dating back to 16^th century Italy, where street painters created works of art in front of cathedrals to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Street painters that are over the age of 14 are encouraged to register in advance. Pre-registered street painters will be matched with a sponsored square on a first-come-first-serve basis. Chalk and blending materials are provided. It is recommended that street painters wear kneepads and a hat. Artwork must be suitable for public viewing. No words or symbols intended as advertising may appear within the image, however artists may sign their names. If the square is sponsored, the sponsor’s name will appear above the space. Street painting squares are given on a first-come basis.

Street painters who pre-register will be notified of acceptance prior to the event. Street painters agree that work done in conjunction with this festival may be reproduced by photograph or video and used by the East End Arts for promotional purposes. Street painting squares are also available for purchase the day of the event for $20 each.  Registration deadline is May 10, 2017. For registration form and more information, please visit here.

Additionally, East End Arts also invites artists and craftspeople to participate in the fine arts and crafts fair at the event. There is a special offer for artisan vendors who sign up on or before March 15, 2017: their name/business and website link will be listed on the event webpage and in the promotional brochure, which is distributed to 3,000 businesses and individuals. The final registration deadline that will not include the special offer, is May 10, 2017. For more information, visit here.

For more information contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900 or email.

East End Arts, established in 1972, is an award-winning 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.