Spring may seem a long way off right now, but Canalway is already well into planning for its third Annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade—a celebration of light, creativity, and sustainability that welcomes the arrival of spring to the banks of the Cuyahoga River at Sokolowski’s Overlook.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, March 9, is a chance for artists of all kinds and talents to show off their creative recycling skills by creating large-scale lanterns from recycled materials.
Selected artists will display commissioned pieces of illuminated art made from recycled materials. Each lantern will celebrate nature and encourage environmentalism.
“Local artists play a crucial role at the Towpath Trail Lantern Parade by leading the parade and illustrating the real potential of working with recycled materials,” says Canalway executive director Mera Cardenas. “Their commissioned lanterns inspire others and motivate amateur artists to try something new in the future.”
Local artists who have been featured at past Towpath Trail Lantern Parades include Debbie Apple-Presser, Sam Fryberger, Darla Arnold, Eddie Olschansky, Joyce Morrow Jones, Haley Himiko Hudson Morris, and Ron Shelton.
Of course, Lantern Parade participants are also encouraged to make lanterns from recycled materials. Canalway even has some ideas and tips for making a lantern.
Interested artists should review the submission information and then submit a statement of interest and images of previous work to Canalway communications director Meghan Paynter by Wednesday, Jan. 3.
