WARWICK — Columbus Day weekend is set to be a busy one in Warwick, with local artists and art lovers converging on Town Hall for the 27th annual Warwick Arts Council Art Show and Sale.
The admission free show will be held Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A “Meet the Artists” reception with refreshments will kick off the show Friday at 7 p.m.
Arts Council member Tom Wyatt, who has been involved with planning the show for over 15 years, said more than 30 artists from Warwick and surrounding towns like Northfield, Orange, Wendell, Athol and Royalston participate annually. A variety of mediums are featured including paintings, photographs, ceramics, collages, quilts, literature, watercolors, puppetry, furniture, monotypes, jewelry, drawings, fiber art, wood carvings and sculpture, according to a Warwick Arts Council press release.
Professional and amateur artists alike are encouraged to submit work, connecting people with a common interest in art, Wyatt said.
“I think it’s that kind of mix that makes (the show) really interesting,” he said. “What is the artistic interest? What is the spark? It can be there whether you’ve never shown in any public place or if you’re someone very experienced doing it. It’s still the same spark.”
That spark, he continued, can be shared by people of all ages. Being a highly community-oriented show, Wyatt said children frequently exhibit their work alongside adults.
“We’ve had people from age 5 to 90-plus,” he said.
Sometimes, residents even submit work by deceased relatives, which Wyatt said “gives us a sense of people who have been here before.”
Each exhibitor can submit up to three pieces of work. The show has no submission fee, which Wyatt said aligns with the Arts Council’s intention of encouraging everyone who is interested to show their work. With people moving in and out of town, Wyatt said the show regularly involves new artists who’ve never shown their work before.
The art show isn’t the only event happening in Warwick over Columbus Day weekend. With the Old 78 Farm Fall Festival scheduled for Saturday, Wyatt hopes the music festival might help bolster the art show’s attendance.
“Hopefully people will come to hear music, and come a little early and look at what’s in the Town Hall,” he said.
Interested artists can still submit their work during setup times at Town Hall on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Wyatt by phone at 413-768-8641 or by email at tomwyattphoto@gmail.com.