Real art in the making is just off the beaten path in the Artists’ Alley.

“We call it the arts right down our alley,” says Dick Burhans, chairperson of Snoqualmie Valley Arts, and, with his wife Sally, coordinator of the Artists’ Alley attraction of the Block Party.

The alley, traditional home to Artists’ Alley since Burhans and other artists attracted a crowd with their painting demonstrations on the corner of North Bend Way and Bendigo Boulevard a few years ago, features live demonstrations of weaving, cross-stitching, pot-throwing, painting, and musical performances, and several artists working in front of their own portraits, painted by Burhans.

“All of the artists are from the Valley,” says Burhans. “We cheat a little bit on (jazz singer) Susanna Fuller…. she lives in Issaquah, but probably 90 percent of her time is in our theater.”

Other musicians include Danielle Tomlinson, the Snoqualmie Strings, and Valley Idol Jr. winners Tori Rose and Ana Killian.

A new addition to the alley this year is a wine garden, which Snoqualmie Valley Arts is running to benefit Valley Center Stage and Boxley’s music program for children.

“The whole idea is our arts group makes no money,” said Burhans. “The idea is to show off the arts and do something special for the community.”