By Sarah CR Clark
The 56th St. Anthony Park Arts Festival, armed with a new logo, will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Como and Carter Avenues.
The festival will feature more than 65 artists, 13 food and drink vendors, two stages, local business booths and a Beer and Mead Garden on the lawn of Luther Seminary. The SAP Arts Festival is hosted by the St. Anthony Park Branch Library Association and is sponsored by 11 local businesses.
The SAP Arts Festival has recently refreshed its brand with a new logo. “We had a temporary logo last year, for our 55th anniversary,” festival director Anna Gaseitsiwe said. “But we’ve been wanting a new brand to reflect the growth of the festival.”
Designed by planning committee member Nate Killam, the logo features a wide arch of three differently colored layers. Gaseitsiwe explained that the logo can be seen as a perfect Arts Festival day: the green innermost arch as the library lawn, a bright yellow sunrise, topped off by a summery blue sky.
But the new logo does more than just wish for good weather. Gaseitsiwe explained, “If you look closely at our new logo and the SAPBLA’s logo, both reference the library’s architecture and windows which is the connection we’re looking to make. The Arts Festival IS the Library Association.”
The SAPBLA’s annual used book sale, a tradition of the festival, will not be happening this year, as the library building is being renovated. At the time this article was written the library’s website stated, “The St. Anthony Park Branch Library will be closed to the public starting April 7, 2025, for necessary repairs. The library is expected to re-open in mid-June.”
However, according to Gaseitsiwe, the library association will still be present at the festival. “Instead of the book sale, the library association will have a tent where they will be accepting donations and selling SAPBLA merchandise.”
Speaking of merchandise, folks will also be able to purchase SAP Arts Festival branded shirts, hats and bags. Other additions to the festival this year include an appearance by Bachman’s Bloom Squad (who will walk around distributing free flowers and coupons) as well as a photo station where festival goers can pose for photos to publish on social media.
Also new this year, artist and printmaker Wes Winship will be creating a mural, live, on the lawn of Luther Seminary. Winship is co-founder of Burlesque of North America, an internationally known design and screen print collective, as well as Burlesque Public Works, an off-shoot that focuses on large-scale paintings, murals and installations.
The planning committee is still looking for additional volunteers and donations for this year’s festival. To learn more, or to sign up to help out with the event, please visit sapfest.org.
Sarah CR Clark lives in St. Anthony Park and is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle.
