The Fairest of Them All?

Two separate arts festivals will be taking place in Wicker Park this weekend. While poking around for information, we got the distinct impression that Wicker Park is fighting hard to keep an artistic community and these types of festivals in the neighborhood, despite creeping gentrification. Come on out and support your local artists.

Renegade Craft Fair
Now in its sixth year, the annual Renegade Craft Fair is again setting up camp in Wicker Park this weekend, bringing with it 250 booths of DIY artists, crafters and vendors, and, for the first time, live music. Defined by local crafter and co-founder Sue Blatt as “putting a spin on traditional crafts and making it your own," the theme of renegade crafting will prevail throughout, with over 300 vendors hawking their handmade wares. You can also stop by the Renegade Handmade store (1924 W. Division St.) for a similar selection of DIY crafty goodness.
Division between Damen and Hermitage, 9/13 and 9/14, noon through 10 p.m. each day, free

smARTshow Art Festival
Replacing the void left by Around the Coyote Arts Festival, which is now taking place in October in the Loop, smARTshow is Wicker Park’s new fall visual arts festival. The fair will feature the work of over 75 resident artists within the Flatiron Arts Building, with an additional 40-50 guest artists showcased there and at participating neighborhood businesses.
Flatiron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Avenue, as well as various venues throughout Wicker Park, 9/12-9/14, Friday 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday Noon-10 p.m., Sunday Noon-6 p.m., Free