For 2021, FireFish Arts has “re-imagined” its work within the newly revitalized downtown Lorain, launching new monthly arts programming, and in late August through September, the re-imagined annual FireFish Festival. Designed as a month-long series of events spanning four weekends, this new direction continues the work of FireFish Arts as a responsive arts organization, harnessing the creative energy of the whole community, including artists, partners, and the downtown business community working together to achieve mutual goals.
photo by Jen Navarro
“Responding to both new challenges but most importantly to new opportunities, this re-imagined festival offers more chances over a longer period for the community to engage both in FireFish Festival art and performances in a revitalized downtown Lorain,” says FireFish Board of Directors President Frank DeTillio.
photo by Jen Navarro
In September 2015, FireFish Arts launched the first FireFish Festival, presenting it to the public as an opportunity to “re-imagine Lorain as it becomes a stage for a scorching array of art, dance, music, and fire. Opera or hip hop in an alley, art installations and galleries in storefronts, fire dancers and drummers in the street, or cabaret in an abandoned building – anything is possible at FireFish!” The first FireFish Festival was designed to celebrate the region’s freshwater link to Lake Erie, the Black River, and its industrial heritage. It drew more than 10,000 visitors, showcasing art, dance, and theater, culminating in a dramatic pyrotechnics display. The most important early goal of the first festival was to enliven an empty downtown Lorain with the arts and artists, showing both the potential of the district and the power of the arts to make a difference. Called “creative placemaking,” it is a concept known nationally and internationally as an especially effective re-development tool in both small and large downtowns.
l a c ol ni a r ol e h t @ | m o c .l a c ol ni a r ol Lorain Local Magazine | page 46
photos by Ron Jantz
