The 2023 Hertel Alley Mural Fest was a smashing success. Held during the same weekend as the Allentown Art Festival, the event has become a cherished North Buffalo art event in its own right.
The two-day event was orchestrated by Delaware District Council Member Joel P. Feroleto, along with Jen Swan-Kilpatrick, the Executive Director of Art Services Inc. (ASI).
“This event started in 2019 with Vinny Alejandro and Newell Nussbaumer driving its introduction, as a way to bolster the legitimate street art scene,” said Feroleto. “It was going to be an annual event, but due to pandemic it was shelved. Post pandemic, the originators passed the torch on the the new organizers – ASI did a phenomenal job last weekend. I was impressed with ASI’s request for submissions (RFP) and the extremely challenging task of accepting/curating 29 out of 99 submissions. ASI executed this event flawlessly and the artists did an amazing job. The response from neighbors, artists, visitors, and businesses has been nothing short of outstanding.”
The verdict is still out, whether this event will become an annual or a biennial undertaking. I spoke to artist Chuck Tingley who said that every other year scissor-lifts should be brought in to take the impressive art effort even higher on the walls, thus creating a true “art alley.” We shall see where all if this takes us. What I do know, is that what was once considered somewhat of a derelict alley, has now become a vibrant “gallery without walls” – I use that terminology very loosely in this case.