Frank Westfall, one of the artists who will be at the 40th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival, at his shop, Middle Earth Leather.

Columbus Circle sits in the heart of Syracuse, eagerly awaiting the 40th annual Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival. From July 30 through August 1, the space where people gather for urban outdoor enjoyment will overflow with 150 of the country’s most talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers.

The Downtown Committee, which is hosting this event on the same weekend as Blue Rain ECOFest and the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, expects more than 50,000 visitors to attend. The festival presents an exceptionally wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts, ranging from functional to decorative. Both two- and three-dimensional works will be featured, including ceramics, fabric and fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, wood, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. With exhibitors participating from over 30 states and Canada, artists are able to make connections and better their work by talking about the individual process each artist uses.

One of the many local artists who will be in attendance is Peter Valenti, who specializes in ceramics, including decorative tiles, jewelry and pottery. Valenti began participating in the festival about 15 years ago, when he first needed a place to showcase his work. “Syracuse seemed natural because it’s my hometown,” said Valenti. His commitment to the arts is also shown in his work with youth. When he isn’t working on his own art, he’s teaching ceramics at the East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School, where he’s been for 25 years. “The ceramic community has been developed through the high schools, and the arts are an important part of the kids’ lives,” affirms Valenti.

It is this belief that has had him overseeing “Feats of Clay” for the past seven years. Started in 1988, the event fosters ceramic art education in Syracuse area high schools. A silent auction of ceramic donations and tee shirt sales help fund the $550 in student awards and prizes. The event has been hosted throughout the community by Syracuse University, the Everson Museum of Art, and currently by Onondaga Community College. Valenti feels it’s not enough for youth to just see things within the walls of their school – art should be out in the community.

Frank Westfall, another Syracuse artist and native, feels the same way. Westfall runs Middle Earth Leather in Little Italy, where his skills in leatherwork shine. As well they should – he’s been at his craft his entire life. At the age of four he began cutting patterns in his mother’s dress shop on the corner of Ash and North Salina. When he was 12, he owned a mini bike and wanted a leather jacket. The rest was history.

His business, which was originally based on Marshall Street, started when he was still in school for fashion design at Syracuse University. Today, the shop’s on North Salina, where Westfall is both the building’s fourth owner and the fourth purveyor of leather goods. Needing to do a lot to keep up with business, the shop is more so his first home. Adorned with leather bags, coats, belts and vintage motorcycles, it has an old-time and comfortable feel that matches Westfall’s attitude.

Westfall has been attending the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival off and on since 1975, and he feels the festival is a chance to network with other artists. It also serves as a point of inspiration, where he’s able to see what others are doing. For Westfall, his art is in “constant evolution. As I work I am perpetually thinking of ways to make it better.” His motto of “My work is limited; my work is my own. I have no employees; I do this alone,” also shows this is his passion.

With live demonstrations in glass blowing, jewelry making, ceramics, yarn spinning, weaving and woodworking, the Arts & Crafts Festival will no doubt highlight the passions of many talented individuals. Visit Downtown Syracuse for a complete list of artists, a festival map and times, and then join in the fun July 30-August 1.