If you happen to be in Guelph this weekend, check out the annual Art on the Street festival.
 
The annual event takes place Saturday, July 16 and is sponsored by the Downtown Guelph Business Association and the Guelph Arts Council. The event closes down Quebec Street, a key downtown thoroughfare, as 60-plus artist display works featuring everything from photography to sculpture to blacksmithing to painting and everything in between.
 
The sacred will meet secular at Art on the Stree in a couple of ways. Looking at the list of artists, I recognize the names of a few artists who are Christian including photographer Ainsley Boyd (http://ainsleyboydphotography.com) and painter Tina Newlove (http://www.tinanewlove.com/home.html)—who painted the cover art for Guelph violinist Trevor Dick’s Yaweh CD (http://flyingbow.com). Newlove was also part of Dick's Glory and Peace tour where she created a new piece of artwork each evening. The paintings were then auctioned off to raise money for Compassion Canada.
 
And if you can't make it on Saturday, Boyd's works will be on display at NV Lounge (16 Wyndham North) and Newlove's at Magic Mountain (28 Wilson) from now until Saturday.
 
Right in the middle of these artists is the Royal City Church which, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. will host a community art display and live music—along with free coffee and baked goods.
 
I’ve been to Art on the Street in the past—I won’t make this year’s because of an out-of-town family commitment—and it’s always exciting to see the variety of artists and art displayed. And it’s especially gratifying to see a Christian presence in this festival as well. I just wish I could be there to experience it.