Abigail Gawron, one of the ArtWalk featured street artists this Friday, paints her utility box 350 mural earlier this year. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD — On Friday, June 21, celebrate the summer solstice – the longest day of the year – by making it a “Friday Night Out” in downtown Westfield to experience art, live music, dining, refreshments and shopping, all within walking distance along Elm Street.
ArtWalk Westfield, a free art and cultural experience that takes place each month in downtown Westfield, will feature a unique mix of local and regional artists on Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in pop-up art galleries located in the Gaslight Gallery District along Elm Street between Church and School streets.
Immediately following ArtWalk, the Downtown Live! Friday Night concert series kicks off the summer season with a performance by the Berkshire Mountain Boys from 7 to 9 p.m. at 53 Elm St. next to Mina’s Wine and Spirits.
Both ArtWalk Westfield and the Downtown Live! Friday Night concerts are free to the public.
Abigail Gawron’s completed utility box mural, which is located in front of Stop & Shop in downtown Westfield. (Photo submitted)
June ArtWalk Westfield will feature a mix of local and regional artists along with several live demonstrations, including one of the utility box muralists featured during the Westfield 350th birthday weekend.
Abigail Gawron, a Westfield-based artist inspired primarily by her love for flowers and color, will be one of the featured street artists. Gawron painted the utility box mural located in front of Stop & Shop on Main Street. This Friday’s ArtWalk will be her gallery debut, where she will display her mixed-media work in front of Fast Feet.
Kamila O’Neill, a Westfield -based photographer who made her gallery debut at the Images holiday show in 2018, will showcase her work inside of Fast Feet.
Michelle Boucher, a West Springfield- based artist and owner of Boondocks & Blossom Design, will be the featured artist at Blended Vintage Marketplace.
Victoria Jordan, based in Chicopee, will feature her encaustic and acrylic work at Mama Cakes. She recently made her Westfield debut at the Articulture Westfield 2019 event in May.
Jamie Toomey, a Westfield-based photographer and Westfield Technical Academy student, will show her work at Two Rivers Burrito.
Ellen Westerlind, a Westfield artist and lifelong city resident who has shown her work throughout western MA and northern CT, will be the featured artists at Rosewood Home & Gifts.
Donna Carmel, another Westfield artist who specializes in scratch board art and recently branched out into monoprints, will be another featured street artist.
All artists will be on hand at each pop-up gallery location to answer questions and chat about their work. Most pieces of art work will be available for purchase.
“ArtWalk Westfield is a free cultural event and the public is encouraged to experience some wonderful local art work while rediscovering downtown Westfield,” said Bill Westerlind, ArtWorks Westfield president.
In addition to the ArtWalk experience, community members and residents are invited to the kick off of the free Downtown Live! Friday Night concert series beginning at 7 p.m. at 53 Elm Street next to Mina’s Wine and Spirits, featuring The Berkshire Mountain Boys.
The Berkshire Mountain Boys will kick off the Downtown Live! Concert series on Friday with their mix of bluegrass, gospel, folk and country. (Photo submitted)
The Berkshire Mountain Boys began with Phil Pothier on autoharp and vocals and Charlie Mihlek on guitar and vocals, who have been performing together for over 50 years locally and across the country. They grew to a quartet by adding Dan Damkauskas on banjo and Don Lownds on mandolin, as they entertain the crowd with vintage favorites of bluegrass, gospel, folk ballads, and country music.
.Downtown Live! Friday Night Concert Series, another ArtWorks Westfield production, will take place every Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. beginning July 21 through August 30 (except July 5 and August 23) at 53 Elm Street next to Mina’s Wine & Spirits, featuring local and regional bands. All shows are kid and family friendly.
ArtWorks of Westfield Inc., a local arts & cultural organization promoting the rich and talented artistic diversity of Westfield and the surrounding communities, is a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (c) (3). Membership and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Their mission is to create and promote the widest variety of Cultural Arts, Literary Arts, Musical Events, and Performing Arts for the Westfield Community and to collaborate with businesses and invested groups to develop and maintain venues for presentations and performances.
