Food and entertainment shine at Art in Your Eye in Batavia

It's been said that art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. At Batavia's Art in Your Eye festival, you can be the judge.

The 10th annual fine arts show is scheduled for 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19-21, at the Batavia Riverwalk, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Admission is free.

Art in Your Eye features more than 70 artists, local and national, who will display their work for all to admire or purchase.

By adding new artists and entertainment Saturday and Sunday, organizers hope to attract new visitors.

“There will be all different types of music throughout the event, such as acoustic, vintage jazz and even dance performances as well,” said Joi Cuartero of Batavia, executive director of Batavia MainStreet.

Opening the main stage on Friday night will be Noah's Arcade at 6 p.m. and Libido Funk Circus at 8 p.m. Saturday's bands include Modern Day Romeos at 6 p.m. and Spectators at 8 p.m.

“Art in Your Eye is different from other fine art shows because there is live music and activities for the kids as well,” Cuartero said.

For kids there will be a kite making area where kids will be able to make and decorate their very own kite or mobile, which they can then display at the festival in designated areas.

The craft beer and wine garden will feature a variety of beers from Penrose Brewing Company and a selection of wines as well.

Also new this year is the food truck area, which features local restaurants such as barbecue from Tailgater Toby and Mexican cuisine from Andre's Restaurant,

The Water Street Studios Hands-On Tent will provide lessons in using the wheel to create clay ceramic pieces.

There are two different art shows, the Fine Art Show and the City Hall Exhibit, both of which begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Fine Art Show will feature more than 70 national artists with their work displayed in booths. The City Hall Exhibit is a juried art show that will present almost 100 pieces from local artists.

More than 150 volunteers work hard to put on a great art show for everyone that will reflect well on the city.

“It is nice to see a community care so much about art; they really support everyone participating,” said artist John Lamar of Rockford.

Lamar has been participating in the Art in Your Eye Festival for about eight years and plans to sell his “one-of-a-kind” copper sculptures in the Fine Art Show.

But most of all, organizers want the event to be fun for the entire family, even those who aren't in the market for a new piece of art.

“There's so many different avenues for everyone to be able to enjoy something,” Cuartero said, in reference to the many entertainment and activity options for all ages.

For more information, visit artinyoureye.com or call (630) 761-3528.

If you go

What: Art in Your Eye, a juried fine art show featuring music, food and drink

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19-21

Where: Batavia Riverwalk, 100 N. Island Ave, Batavia.

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.artinyoureye.com">www.artinyoureye.com</a>