Mandy Hathaway
Share:
The tenth Art in the Hollow, the only art festival on St. Paul’s East Side, featured more than 80 artists and performers. Organizers estimate that 2,000-plus people attended the event in Swede Hollow Park on Saturday, June 1.
“We had great weather to show off our hidden gem of a park,” said Benjamin Mason, communications director for Art in the Hollow. “More new and experienced artists from the community than ever, and neighbors and strangers streaming through the entrances all day to discover the depths of nature and creativity we have hidden down here in Swede Hollow.”
The festival is run by Friends of Swede Hollow, a community organization whose mission is to protect the natural beauty of Swede Hollow Park and remember its past.
Swede Hollow Park is a sprawling greenspace adjacent to Metro State’s St. Paul campus. Trail access and parking are located at the intersection of East Seventh Street and Payne Avenue, two blocks southwest of campus.
Artists, artisans and community organizations set up displays at the free event. More than 35 music, dance and spoken word acts performed on the event’s three stages. The sixth annual outdoor sculpture contest honored the best temporary art installation in the park.
![Ryan Werbalowsky, left, displays his work at Art in the Hollow in Swede Hollow Park on June 1, 2019. He was one of more than 80 artists showcasing a wide array of creative talents at the community festival. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ryan_Werbalowsky_displays_work.jpg)
![You Lee, left, and Nkauj Sheng dance in traditional Hmong style. They are co-founders of St. Paul’s YeS Dance Academy. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/traditional_Hmong_dance.jpg)
![“Parade Through the Hollow,” an art installation by St. Paul photographer Stephan F. Kistler, in Swede Hollow Park on June 1. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/parade_through_the_hollow.jpg)
![Artist and illustrator Whittney Streeter shows off a variety of her wears while trying to stay out of the bright afternoon sun. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Whittney_Streeter_art_in_the_hollow.jpg)
![Henry Colin, an 11-year-old artist and musician, plays guitar at Art in the Hollow. Colin also drew caricatures at this year’s event. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Henry_Colin_plays_guitar.jpg)
![“Time Train,” by artist Ed Brodie, is on display as an entrant in Art in the Hollow’s annual sculpture contest. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/time_train_by_Ed_Brodie.jpg)
![A DJ from East Side radio station WEQY (104.7 FM) gets the crowd excited at the main stage. Established in 2015, WEQY is one of the sponsors of Art in the Hollow and is the only radio station broadcasting from the East Side neighborhood of St. Paul. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DJ_from_East_Side_radio.jpg)
![A sign directs thirsty Art in the Hollow attendees to Saint Paul Brewery, located in the historic Hamm Brewing complex at 688 Minnehaha Ave. Hamm’s was once the largest brewery in the state. The complex of 67 buildings had its own ZIP code within Swede Hollow. (Mandy Hathaway / The Metropolitan)](https://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/beer_sign.jpg)