A local environmental nonprofit is hosting their first Earth-friendly art festival ‘EarthyGirthy’ in Coney Island on July 9 — bringing over 25 artists and bands to showcase their eco-conscious craft.
Hosted by Beautify Brooklyn, art lovers can peruse work from painters, illustrators, ceramicists and photographers, while spreading a message of caring for the environment.
Attendees will get a chance to buy from local markers and sit in on art workshops, while experiencing the homegrown music and crafts, according to event spokesperson.
“From upcycled tee-shirts and trash-to-treasure, to build-your-own terrarium, EarthyGirthy’s activities will inspire all to see the Earth and materials in a new light,” the spokesperson said.
Robert Elstein, the founder of Beautify Brooklyn and the EarthGirthy festival, called the summer event one of the city’s most impactful celebrations of art and earth.
“Beautify Brooklyn is focused on improving the lives of the entire borough and in the summer, the place where everybody meets up in Brooklyn is Coney Island. So we want to kind of honor that tradition and make Coney Island an even more magical place,” Elstein said.
Elstein and his team created the event as a way to promote creativity in Coney Island and give the neighborhood a look into the range of earth-friendly art such as the nonprofit’s popular flotsamals, mobiles with a driftwood base and wires holding together various kinds of recycles plastics, seashells and corals found at Coney Island beach.
The performer line-up includes various styles including a Pan-African salsa ensemble, a nature inspired dance by Andrea Ward, rapping and fiddling of old-time American songs.
Beautify Brooklyn also presents an art fair every fall called Artmageddon, which brings together over 200 Brooklyn based artists and performers. With Artmaggeddon being such a success, the team thought why not put on a similar event but add a unique twist that could incite innovation.
“We just want people to spend a few hours with us and bring something really beautiful home and be inspired to help make Brooklyn the most inspiring place in the world to live and work,” Elstein said.
Coney Island is home to many summer events including free firework shows, the annual Mermaid Parade and the Fourth of July hot-dog eating contest at Nathan’s.
The festival will run from 12 until 6 p.m. at the Coney Island Brewery at 1904 Surf Avenue. The event is free to attend but attendees are encouraged to shop from all the participating vendors.
