Khalil Payne found his calling by accident, and now he’s one of the over 90 artists who painted the town with their eclectic talents at the free Lansdowne Arts Festival on Sunday, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.  

Payne recalls when he first encountered the vibrant hues and delicate strokes of airbrushing, “I was walking through the Gallery Mall and there was a guy named Bill there. And I saw him airbrushing and it just blew my mind,” he said.  

The Arts on the Ave festival, which is part of Delco Arts Week, celebrated its twentieth year. It drew a crowd of over 2,000 art enthusiasts to support local artisans and indulge in a treasure trove of jewelry, prints, and whimsical household items. 

The festival was not merely an exhibition but an interactive, family-friendly event. There were instruments for children to play and let their melodies waft through the air.  

The festival took place in front of the Lansdowne Theatre, currently cocooned and undergoing an $18 million metamorphosis, as it prepares to rebirth as a concert venue in the coming year.  

To see the artistic wonders of the Lansdowne Art Festival on CBS News Philadelphia.  

Delco Arts Week Highlights