Something unique is happening in Downtown Foley on April 28th

Something unique is happening in Downtown Foley on April 28th.  Watch public art come alive at the CATalyst event. CATalyst is the kickoff event for Cat Alley - a community effort to add more public art in Downtown Foley, create gathering places and promote connectivity. ARCY, an internationally known artist, will be painting an 8' by 12' mural in 4-6 hours while we watch.  It all happens in the Foley Art Center parking lot located at 211 N. McKenzie Street across from Heritage Park.  The fun kicks off at noon.  It is free to watch - there is limited seating - so bring your chairs!

Known for his paint splashed style of large-scale street art, ARCY has been defining his skills for over a decade. In 2015, ARCY announced his inaugural North American live event mural tour, where he took his skills on the road, spray painting 8′ x 12′ live! event walls in front of thousands of onlookers in many of the largest cities across the nation. Since then, ARCY Live! has created hundreds of live murals and permanent large scale works throughout North America, Australia, and Europe. ARCY has worked for the likes of The Smithsonian Institute, Major League Baseball, America’s National Parks Service, and is currently developing a collaborative body of work for The Walt Disney Company as a Disney Fine Artist.  As he travels the globe, ARCY continues to demonstrate his growing desire to leave his mark wherever he goes, giving back to humanity through public art.  ARCY currently resides in his home state of Connecticut, USA

Music will begin at noon with DJ  Tony Nelson sharing a mixture of music for all. Then Roman Street takes the stage from 3-6 pm. Brothers Noah and Josh Thompson put their guitars together to form Roman Street. Since the college years, this brotherly jam session has developed into a Billboard/iTunes charting band who many have dubbed 'the next generation' of Jazz Fusion. Roman Street, named for an old roman street in the Alps where they studied guitar, is an internationally trained instrumental band specializing in improvisational fusion of Classical, Gypsy and Contemporary Jazz, Latin, and Nuevo Flamenco. A departure from the overproduced music that is out there today, they keep it simple—the beautifully organic sound of acoustic instruments played by talented people who love what they are doing. Whether performing as a guitar duo, or with a backing band, Roman Street astounds with music that appeals to fans of many genres.

Sugar Love will be serving up food, there will be beverages, craft beer, wine and Cat Alley merchandise. There are also many restaurants within walking distance in Downtown Foley. Money raised goes to support art in Downtown Foley.  A percentage of the proceeds will also go to the Safe Harbor Animal Coalition. A local group, Safe Harbor Animal Coalition, aims to reduce and control the overpopulation of homeless cats and dogs through spay/neuter, vaccinating, Trap-Neuter-Return and cat colony management, while providing lower cost veterinary services to our partner 501(c)3 organizations. In addition, funds directly support education and training in order to create healthy and empowered communities.

Also take a look at the entries in the Elementary School Cat Alley Art Contest. Entries are from  both Foley Elementary and Mathis Elementary. The art will be on display at the Foley Art Center during the CATalyst event.  Find out who won first, second, and third place overall, and the best of class ribbon award for each class.
CATalyst and Cat Alley are Foley Main Street projects in conjunction with the City of Foley, Riviera Utilities, Foley Art Center, Main Street Alabama and our many CATalysts!  Join now.    
We are excited to run this event in concert with the City of Foley's Heritage Park Market Place which will operate from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the same day. When Roman Street is finishing up, live entertainment begins at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park, followed by a movie at dusk. And that movie is Puss and Boots - carrying on the cat theme! The marketplace and Music and a Movie will continue every Friday through June 9. Those who come for the music and a movie are asked to bring a chair or a blanket for seating.  

Foley Main Street, along with its community foundation, is committed to working with existing businesses as well as new upcoming businesses to keep them strong and growing.  Also, to proactively tackle projects that will enhance the downtown experience.

For pictures click here