Signs of the rapidly approaching autumn equinox are everywhere: days are growing shorter, nights are cool enough to finally give the AC unit a break and horror movie trailers are popping up every time the TV flips on.

Writing from a recent personal encounter, even massive spiders are abandoning their outdoor webs and creeping indoors to cohabitate.

However, according to the cosmos, we still have several more summer days in the Northern Hemisphere. This weekend, Longmont is ushering in the perfect way for Front Rangers to soak up these last dregs of summer as Firehouse Art Center closes out its Summer on the Streets series with its big finale, ArtWalk on Main.

(It’s also the perfect way to avoid the new eight-legged roommate.)

From 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Longmont will close down five blocks along Main Street for an afternoon filled with art, music, food and family-friendly fun. This year’s event is supported by Longmont’s Centennial State Ballet, which adds an exciting mix of live performances to the already jam-packed lineup of local creativity.

During times of looming change — like the shifting of seasons and widespread death of tree foliage — art can be a consistent source of comfort.

“Art is something that everyone participates in, whether through creation or appreciation,” said Elaine Waterman, executive director at Firehouse Art Center. “It’s a vital thread in the fabric of our community, connecting us to one another regardless of experience, age, or belief system. Everyone can relate to the joy that comes from hearing great live music, savoring delicious food, or experiencing beautiful art. We may not all agree on the types of music, food, or art we prefer, but we can certainly all understand the joy it brings.”

Attendees can experience this shared joy firsthand at the festival’s dozens of artisanal vendor booths, where creativity lives on full display. From painting and sculpture to photography and jewelry, the event offers a rich variety of artistic expressions to explore. Many artists will also host interactive booths, allowing visitors to witness the creative process unfold in real time, turning Main Street into a lively, open-air studio.

One of the standout attractions at this year’s festival is Erica Podwoiski’s residency culminating exhibition, “Blue Whispers,” at the Firehouse Art Center. As Firehouse’s summer artist in residence, Podwoiski spent months exploring the ephemeral beauty of moths through cyanotype photography, an old photographic process that creates stunning blue-toned images. Her work combines traditional drawing with found objects from Longmont, offering a deeply personal and reflective narrative on life’s fleeting moments.

Unlike this writer, Podwoiski wouldn’t mind if a spider or two moved into her house overnight.

“I have always been really drawn to insects,” Podwoiski said. “Moths, in particular, because I’m just naturally drawn to mystery. There’s so much we don’t know about them, and that’s largely because they’re nocturnal and keep different hours than we do.”

A few years ago in the wake of her mother’s death, Podwoiski became deeply fascinated with mothing, a niche nighttime pursuit in the world of entomology.

“My mother was really filled with wonder, she was a gardner, and very connected to nature,” Podwoiski said. “A few months after she died, I started dreaming about moths, very vividly and frequently. I’m not a religious person, but there was something in that symoblism that made me think of her. I could make the comparison — she died pretty young, and moths have very short, fleeting lives. Among my fascination with moths, and my grief, I knew I had to incorporate that imagery into my art.”

Though a traditionally trained artist specializing mostly in realistic oil paintings, Podwoiski began working in cyanotype during the pandemic, a time when she creatively blossomed. Now, she creates pieces that are both serene and mysterious, depicting the fleeting beauty of nature. Working in shades of blue, her cyanotypes are wispy and dreamlike, with layers of texture and shadows creating a sense of willowy depth and movement.

“This show is very much about paying attention, slowing down, and immersing yourself in your surroundings. I hope that my pieces evoke some curiosity about nature, and maybe inspire people to be a little more considerate of moths, bugs, and the wider ecological world that surrounds us,” said Podwoiski.

Artwalk attendees can catch Podwoiski’s work inside the Firehouse Art Center on Saturday, which will be open during the festival.

In addition to the art, more than five different stages will be spread throughout this year’s ArtWalk, showcasing a diverse lineup of live music and performance. From bands like Boulder’s Chris Daniels and the Kings, who will play upbeat roots tunes, to local dance companies like Airborne Gymnastics, who will be flipping and flying through the air, the weekend festival will offer something for everyone to discover.

— Longmont’s premier pre-professional youth ballet company — will take the stage two times on Saturday, the first time at 4 p.m. for a collaboration with the Longmont Concert Band. The fluttery performance will feature eight advanced ballet dancers performing a piece titled “Monarch Migration” set to live classical music. At 6 p.m., the ballet will take the stage again, bringing a series of classic variations, bringing the grace and power of ballet to the streets of Longmont.

“We’re really excited to bring ballet to a wider audience,” said Moriah Sullivan, executive director of Centennial State Ballet. “It’s always incredible to see people fall in love with ballet, especially those who may be experiencing it for

the first time.”

One of the unique aspects of this year’s ArtWalk on Main is the return of the Degas Dancers collaboration. In this live art event, dancers from Centennial State Ballet will pose in traditional attire inspired by French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas’ works — long, flowing tutus and simple black leotards — as local artists capture their movements through sketches, paintings and sculptures. The finished pieces will be auctioned off in March, with proceeds benefiting both the artists and the ballet.

Degas is renowned for creating thousands of works of art over his lifetime that portrayed ballerinas twirling across the canvas.

“This is the third year we’ve done the Degas Dancers collaboration,” said Waterman. “It’s a beautiful way to connect visual art with performance art, and it allows the community to experience ballet in a more intimate setting.”

In addition to the visual and performing arts, ArtWalk will also feature the popular Children’s Entrepreneur Market, featuring 68 booths run by young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17 years old. The market gives these budding business owners a chance to sell their products and practice valuable skills, like customer service, negotiation and money management. The nationwide program provides kids with an unforgettable hands-on experience.

“I’m so excited about the Children’s Market and the Young Chalkmont Artists,” said Waterman. “It’s fantastic to see young people not only creating but also learning the business side of things. ArtWalk is really about sharing the best that Longmont has to offer, and I love that we can give these kids a platform to shine.”

As part of the Chalkmont street art contest, attendees will be able to watch local artists, including youth participants, transform the sidewalks of Main Street into vibrant chalk masterpieces. With several school groups and solo youth artists participating, this live art event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

For those looking to make a day of it, ArtWalk on Main also offers food trucks, libations and plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. Whether you’re coming to admire Podwoiski’s captivating winged cyanotypes, watch Centennial State Ballet dancers in action, or support young entrepreneurs, this year’s festival a can’t-miss event in Longmont.

For a full list of vendors, performers and the event schedule, visit artwalklongmont.org.