The arts are coming to Southwick this weekend at the 13th annual Fine Art Exhibit and Historic Craft Demonstrations.
The two-day event takes place April 28-29 at Town Hall and features 40 juried artists from throughout western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and even New York and New Hampshire.
Sponsored by the Southwick Cultural Council, the exhibit this year also includes a display of painted chairs, which are part of the Have A Seat In Southwick fundraising auction set for July 28.
Cultural Council member Ellen Miles said live music will be provided during the show, and the Southwick Historical Society is offering a light lunch. A student art show will take place on the main floor conference room throughout the show. The Southwick Historical Society will have two exhibits, one on “Lt. Joseph Moor, Revolutionary Martyr,” prepared by Lee David Hamberg, and “The Jog – Two Colonies, Two States, Three Counties, and Four Towns,” prepared by Deborah Ryan.
“We have a lot happening,” said Miles.
Council member Pat McMahon said this is the fourth year the show has included demonstrations from local artisans. This year’s demonstrators include Alice P. Flyte of Westfield, demonstrating basket weaving, hand quilter Alice Geryk of Southwick, rustic wood furniture crafter Tom Huntoon of Chester, plein air painter Norman LaComb of Westfield, Christopher Lyons of Westfield, demonstrating stained glass art, scroll saw woodworker Arnold Paye of Westfeld, and chair caning demonstrations by Mark Remaly of Westfield.
Lyons will also offer a talk at 1 p.m. April 28 int he Land Use room on “Insights into Louis Tiffany’s Art.”
Miles said a panel of three jurors selected the artists from among more than 50 applicants.
“There are a lot of local shows, but most are not juried,” noted McMahon.
Each artist receives a four-by-eight-foot panel to display their works. Most works, said McMahon, are available for sale.
“We have sold a lot of art over the years,” she said. “We have some people come who collect particular artists.”
The show is popular among artists because the Cultural Council does not take a commission on sales.
“We just want to promote the arts,” said McMahon.
Miles said the show has steadily gained attention.
“We started 13 years ago with the intention to introduce arts to the community,” said Miles. “It was a little slow going in the beginning, but it has taken off.”
McMahon said there is a lot of talent in the area and the Council wants to help artists exhibit their work.
‘This is a way to recognize local talent and to bring art to a small town,” said McMahon. “I’m proud that we are a small community and we have a really great art exhibit.”
The annual show has turned into an anticipated event.
“It’s become something people put on their calendars,” said McMahon.
The Art Show kicks-off tomorrow night with an invitation-only reception featuring a taste of Southwick from 15 town restaurants.
The Fine Arts Exhibit opens Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Cellist Eric Roth will perform Saturday from 12-3 p.m. and Gary Jackson and Chris Glanville will perform Sunday from 12-3 p.m. Art works include pastels, watercolors, oils, acrylics, wood carvings and more.
Suggested donation for entry is $5, however, there is no admission charge.
