by Gabryella M. Pulsinelli, Class of 2016
ArtAwake was founded by a group of student volunteers in the Urban Exploring Club at Rochester in 2008. It’s a popular festival that brings college students and the community together. It was even named as the ‘Student Driven Program of the Year’ by the Association of College Unions International. ArtAwake has gotten a lot of press throughout the Rochester area and was recently competed for City Magazine’s ‘Best of Rochester’ award.
This year Adam Parker and I are this year’s creative directors and have been so excited to work the rest of our team to make ArtAwake 2016 the best yet. ArtAwake is a monster to put on and planning starts in October with the other UR students. This year we are beyond excited to hold ArtAwake at the Metropolitan (formerly the Chase Tower) at 195 East Main Street in Rochester. We have taken over the third and fourteenth floor of this iconic building for our annual festival.
This year we have over 20 bands and 70 artists from both the University and the community. Beyond the music and art, we have food from Rochester’s favorites including Pittsford Dairy, The King and I, Juan and Mario’s Empanadas, Red Fern, and Aladdin’s.
The Undergraduate Art and Art History Council Pollock Painting Palooza, JackBear Stamps and 10 Cent Stories will be in attendance at ArtAwake 2016. These interactive activities will allow for attendees to throw paint inside, make their own postcard, and get a personalized story on a typewriter.
The entire ArtAwake team would like to thank all of our sponsors, donors and volunteers those who have supported us over the years!
Thank you to Urban Exploring, Ain Center for Entrepreneurship, The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Education Abroad, Art & Art History Department, Deli Sandro’s,Southside Hall Council, Riverview/Brooks Hall Council, Susan B. Anthony Hall Council, Jackson Court Hall Council, Freshman Res Quad Hall Council, National Society of Collegiate Scholars for their support.