From rooftops to art galleries, on building walls and city streets, the Kaleido Family Arts Festival is once again taking over Alberta Avenue in Edmonton this weekend.

The seventh annual festival has helped revitalize 118 Avenue into an art hub in the city, said festival producer Christy Morin.

“Myself and another artist met together (and said) ‘what could we do to make a change in the neighbourhood?’ Since then we’ve seen people moving in, we’ve seen arts become a real substantial part of our neighbourhood to revitalize and create a new spirit to 118 Avenue,” Morin said Wednesday at the Kaleido media launch.

Chris Craddock, who will be performing at the festival, also lives in the neighbourhood. He said that he’s seen a big shift in the area since community members started to focus on the arts.

“Twenty years ago, even 10 years ago, people thought of this neighbourhood as a terrifying slum where you shouldn’t go. The Kaleido is one of those things that helps change the perception,” said Craddock.

The festival runs Friday evening until Sunday. For a full list of events, visit here.

About Kaleido

• Artists come from around the world to perform at the three-day event.
• There will be over 200 performances, activities and works of art on display in a variety of venues, between 90 Street and 94 Street on 118 Avenue.