Above - Ashley Marazzo working on her installation Phoenix Pyre

The 8th Annual Night of Art Has it All

Sept. 19th, Niagara Falls History Museum

Enjoy a FREE evening of local artisans, music, performance, and food as the 8th Annual Niagara Falls Night of Art hosts a variety of local musicians, artists and artisans, and the vibrant culture of Niagara all in one place. From 6 pm-10 pm the Niagara Falls History Museum, and the Niagara Falls Farmers Market will open their doors to the public at large and feature visual art displays, live music on the main stage and throughout the Museum, art installations indoors and outdoors.  There will be live art demonstrations, a caricaturist, interactive activities and more.   The art of more than fifteen vendors will be available for sale but with “cash only”.   Admission to the Niagara Falls History Museum Galleries is also included.

We spoke with local artisan Ashley Marazzo from Midgard Metal Works about her installation Phoenix Pyre. Marazzo first was inspired at a previous Night of Art and her new installation explores some of the concepts that were conjured during her Primal Roots piece as she observed people’s reactions to different sections of it. This installation is also inspired by the tragedies of addiction and suicide plaguing the region. In Marazzo’s words, “As long as you are still breathing it is never too late to get help”.

Marazzo, also known as the Copper Otter, has this to say about the her work, “This installation ties in with my voyage of creating art using historical, mythological and fairy tale influences along with the themes of rebirth and growth,” she continues, “The only difference between mythology and religion is your point of view. Most religious teachings transform into stories as a cultural teaching tool, creating a worldwide story full of different forms of knowledge.”

Phoenix Pyre features a bone garden and an interactive cemetery, that serves to remind us of our mortal nature and that eventually we must all embrace death as a part of life. As some people find bones and the theme of death scary or distasteful, Marazzo is determined to take the fear out of the unknown.

“With this installation it is my hope that people will discover new aspects of themselves, their relationships and their unique life experiences, thus creating a threshold to a new mindset to be able to enjoy and fully embrace life as it is in the moment and reduce moments of suffering for fear of the unknown,” she states.  “The dash between the dates on the headstone is the most important part; it is always worth fighting for.”

Live music at the event will include the joyful and exuberant bluegrass mountain music of The Golden Horseshoe Revival, The Roxwells, and JIN.  Also performing are Junk & Juice, Alexa Fraser, Egan Henderson, Trio Corn Brio and Sara Lou Stuart, among others.
Art installations will once again feature works by Emily Andrews, Claire Anderson, Juice Willis Entertainment, Gabrielle Fischer Horvath, Heather Fraser & Sarah Carter, Dougie Hayz, Adam Hughes, Joanne Ring and many others.

Be sure to come hungry and purchase dinner from a local restaurant or from an onsite food vendor. Featured food vendors include The Wandering Gourmet, Niagara Samosa Factory, Tamales Mexico, Awsum Day Café, and Niagara College Brewery and Winery.  The Museum’s Courtyard will be licensed and serving craft beer and wine.
Come join the vibrant culture of Niagara at the Niagara Falls History Museum, located at 5810 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario. With entertainment and hands-on arts and crafts all night long, there is something for everyone, and the little ones too! 

By Jenifer Cass

Visit our home page for lots of exciting events and interesting editorials on local and visiting performers at www.gobeweekly.com

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