Philadelphia's Manayunk Arts Festival Draws Over 300 Artists
Artists from all corners of the United States converged on Philadelphia this weekend for the Manayunk Arts Festival, a vibrant celebration of creativity that has transformed Main Street into an artistic haven for 36 years.
Devin Mack, a Baltimore-based artist and owner of Drawn Metal Studios, returned to the festival in 2025 after a brief absence, presenting his unique handmade metal sculptures. "I am a handmade wire sculptor, so I am working with aluminum here. Everything I do is freehand, so there's no special machines that are helping me make it. I just work with the wire," Mack explained, showcasing his intricate designs.
This year’s festival features over 300 artists, with local boutiques and restaurants joining in the festivities by offering their goods outside, creating a lively shopping atmosphere for attendees.
Kory Aversa, a public relations representative for the festival, noted the significant impact of the event on the community. "This is the event that put Manayunk on the map. Thirty-six years ago, the community here came together and wanted to put on a signature event to really highlight Manayunk as a historic destination," Aversa stated, emphasizing the festival's role in attracting between 100,000 to 300,000 visitors annually.
Among the featured artists is Bryane Broadie, whose graphic collage work is prominently displayed on this year's festival map and poster. His mixed-media piece titled "The Reading Throne" emphasizes themes of education and literacy. "It all starts with photography, either me or one of my close colleagues. He's from Baltimore. We take photos of people. We do open calls so it's a mixture of photography, collage, digital drawing, hand-painting all together," Broadie described, highlighting his collaborative process.
The festival continues through Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., inviting art lovers to explore and engage with a diverse array of artistic expressions.
