WESTFIELD – ArtWorks Westfield celebrated Giving Tuesday with an Art Party Dec. 3 at Hutghi’s at The Nook.
For the third consecutive year, ArtWorks gathered local artists for an evening of art, culture, food and fun while raising money for its programs.
ArtWorks President Bill Westerlind said the first year they gathered at Skyline, last year at Two Rivers Burrito and this year at Hutghi’s. Art raffles and live music highlighted the event.
“When I headed up the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum group, we always participated in Giving Tuesday and when I moved over to the ArtWorks of Westfield team, I brought the concept with me,” Westerlind said. “It is that one day of the year focused on charitable giving to the many all-volunteer, community based organizations that help make our city a better place in which to live, work and play!”
Westerlind said hosting a party was a natural was to celebrate the day.
“The idea of bringing people together through art and cultural activities is at the core of our mission, so pulling folks together in an art party celebration is a natural extension of that mission. It’s great for the creators and community members mingle and share their common interests and ideas for the future,” he said.
Westerlind said the arts are an integral part of the city.
“A thriving arts and cultural movement are a core essential of any vibrant community,” he said. “The arts bring people together in a very positive and engaging way. Since we began the ArtWorks Westfield adventure three years ago, keeping the arts alive and growing in Westfield has always been part of our vision.”
ArtWorks Westfield raised just under $500 on Giving Tuesday, and Westerlind said he was pleased with that.
“While that may not seem like a lot for the larger non-profits in the city, this is a significant amount of funding for us given our relatively small operating budget,” said Westerlind, adding that the funds will support ArtWorks programs in 2020.
ArtWorks has one more event planned in 2019, the IMAGES Holiday Pop-Up Art Show & Sale at the Olver Transit Pavilion in the heart of the Gaslight District in downtown Westfield Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“We encourage folks to explore the city, experience some great artwork and visit this modern facility that everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about,” Westerlind said.
