The Brewerie at Union Station Hosts Annual Arts & Drafts Festival

Erin Phillips

Even though The Brewerie is now under new ownership, the anticipated yearly local artist showcase Arts and Drafts will continue. Catch musical acts trackside all weekend, while enjoying (and purchasing) locally created art, and tasting some craft brews.

BEGINNING THURSDAY, SEPT. 4

Jessica Warren took ownership of The Brewerie at Union Station in May of this year, becoming part of a small but mighty club of female brewery owners that hovers around 3 percent nationally. If you worried that a new owner would mean the end of the annual Arts & Drafts Festival, fear not. "I want to continue to support local and this event gives local artists a platform to showcase their work and for local bands to connect with the community," assures Warren. "I'm learning how much planning and detail goes into this."

To that end, event coordinator Amanda Ferguson has once again assembled an impressive who's who of over 50 local artists who will be exhibiting their work at the festival. And the Reader's own Nick Warren (no relation to Jessica), has put together a bevy of local music acts to play Trackside each night of the event. The live music list includes both familiar and new faces. Local favorites Half Glass, Seann Clark, and Royek close out each night, alongside newcomers. Be sure to check out inaugural acts Frogs I Like, Bloc Czar, and Lanternflies. While this event often marks the end of summer in Erie, new Brewerie owner Warren has plans to keep the music going all year. "I am interested in bringing in local bands on a regular basis and this will be a great way for me to connect," she says.

The featured artist at this year's festival is another name you may recognize from this publication. Bryan Toy, long-time cartoonist of Just Toyin' Witcha, is in the spotlight for Arts & Drafts Festival 2025. Toy's work is more than cartoons; he is an artist of numerous styles and media who has exhibited art at this festival for multiple years. "This is a great place for an artist to showcase new ideas and experimental work," Toy explains. "I often bring paintings and drawings that are the result of just fooling around," he adds.

Sept. 4-6 // Exhibits inside from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Music trackside from  6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday // The BrewErie at Union Station, 123 W. 14th St. // For more info, visit: facebook.com/artsanddraftsfestival