What To Expect At This Year’s Art This Way Art Crawl: Alley Bash

Art This Way’s annual Art Crawl is back with another whimsical alleyway adventure! This year’s Art This Way’s Art Crawl: Alley Bash is taking over Downtown Fort Wayne’s Double Plus alleyways for another awe-inspiring fundraiser thoughtfully curated by Art This Way’s Alex Hall.

Each year, this fundraiser packs thousands of local creatives and art enthusiasts into a few Downtown blocks for an unforgettable, interactive evening to celebrate and support local artists and arts programs. Even if you aren’t exactly an art aficionado, you’re in for a unique evening of mingling, sensory experiences, and sightseeing throughout the Double Plus’ art-clad walls (which are masterfully adorned thanks to Art This Way’s public art programming).

Here’s what to expect:

ALLEYWAYS FULL OF ART, MUSIC, AND MERRIMENT

At this year’s Alley Bash, explore permanent murals, as well as one-of-a-kind arts-in-motion experiences—with featured artists, like:

• Theoplis Smith III, aka Phresh Laundry
• Tulip Tree Healing Arts Collective
• Joseph Pelka
• Kind Goods
• Diane Young
• Matilda’s Way Art
• Art of Maeve
• Floormallow Media
• John C Kelty Watercolors
• Sol Eye Glass
• Lucia Inman Valero
• Emily Mercedes Art
• And more

And of course no art excursion is complete without a lively, eclectic soundtrack. The Alley Bash is no exception, with LIVE performances from local favorites:

• James and the Drifters
• Farmland Jazz Band
• Vox Deco
• Intrepid Cat
• The Mad Scatter
• The Ragtag Bunch
• Thumbrider
• DJ Polaris
• DJ Trend
• Los Electro

INTERACTIVE, WELCOMING SPACES

In the spirit of creativity, the Alley Bash is known for having all sorts of immersive, hands-on experiences. At this year’s event, you can dance at a silent disco (led by DJ Trend), wander numerous installations, strike a pose at a 360-degree photo booth, channel your inner artist with YMCA’s chalk art activity, or play a themed scavenger hunt hosted by Amani Family Services—in celebration of diversity as part of their annual Welcoming Week. Choose your own adventure! 

FABULOUS FLORALS

This year’s theme is all about florals—inspired by Tim Parsley’s latest mural, “Welcome Home”, a 1300-square-foot mural that drapes the entryway to the parking garage at The Riverfront at Promenade Park. You’ll find blooming art, blossoming installations, and botanical photo ops. Nature lovers rejoice! 

FOOD, DRINKS, AND DORA

There’s a lot to see during this year’s Art Crawl. So much that you’ll likely work up an appetite. Luckily, Bravas, Mercadito and One Love food trucks will be on-site, slinging some of Fort Wayne’s finest food-on-the-fly. Looking to imbibe? Cash bars will be provided by Dana’s, Dash-In, JK O’ Donnell’s, and Pint & Slice. And thanks to DORA, you can walk throughout the designated area drink-in-hand.

CRAWLING FOR THE CAUSE

Inspired by the late, great Christy Landrigan, who was passionate about improving walkability and the Downtown Fort Wayne experience, Art This Way is a volunteer-led nonprofit that raises funds to bring large scale professional art installations to Fort Wayne. If you’ve ever been awestruck looking at a piece of public art in Downtown Fort Wayne, you likely have Art This Way to thank. 

So grab your ticket, have some fun with family and friends, and support this worthy cause that works tirelessly to make our city a more beautiful place.

THE DETAILS

2024 Art This Way Art Crawl: Alley Bash 

Friday, September 20, 2024

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Event check-in kiosk is located at The Porch Off Calhoun and on Wayne Street (between S Harrison St. and S Calhoun St.)

$20 per ticket

Learn more or purchase tickets here.