Wicker Park’s annual Around the Coyote Winter Arts Festival kicked off with a Thursday night party in the Flat Iron Building, 1935 W. North Ave., while organizers held their breath and worried about new snow.
Festival planners were confident the event would draw thousands to see art from about 120 artists, as well as showcase Around the Coyote’s now semi-permanent space in the Flat Iron Building.
Forget the few inches of snow on the sidewalks, said Adam Old, an organizer of this year’s event, which lasts through Sunday.
“It shouldn’t affect it too badly unless people decide they don’t want to leave their house,” he said.
Though many of the art installations are in nearby boutiques, salons and businesses–requiring a walk through the elements–it’s not as though the Winter Arts Festival is unaccustomed to inclement weather.
“Last winter was terribly cold,” and people still showed up, Old said. “The people coming to the festival seemed to enjoy it. The artists got a little shivery, but people like sharing the experience.”
