SHELBURNE FALLS — The Art Garden will welcome visitors for a night of art, light and community spirit when the ninth annual Winter HooPla returns Saturday, Feb. 22.

Winter HooPla, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m., transforms the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum railyard into a community art gallery. Installations from roughly 20 local artists will be on display, in addition to a community exhibit with a theme of transitions.

“There are different artists that have ideas and are making installations out in the landscape of the railyard and in the different historical buildings,” Art Garden founder Jane Wegscheider said. “There will also be a community exhibit about uncertainty in transitions.”

Art Garden volunteer Laura Iveson said the event was inspired by one of her friends, who one day said The Art Garden needed to have a winter event that would get people out of the house on cold, dark, winter days.

“Its a way to give back during a time that’s hard for people,” Wegscheider said. “It’s a way to bring people together, even more so now when we need to nurture our community connection.”

Wegscheider said in addition to giving people something to look forward to, Winter HooPla supports The Art Garden’s mission of promoting community and creativity.

“The Art Garden is a community art-making place. We do youth development programs, after-school and summer programs for children and teens, open studio times and a few major events,” Wegscheider said. “Our whole goal is bringing people together to make art.”

Iveson described Winter HooPla as “the northern Mardi Gras” because it’s a big community event celebrating art and creativity, for just a short period of time.

“For Mardi Gras, the locals all make their own costumes and decorations and they know it’s for one day,” Iveson said. “This is the same thing — everyone knows it’s only going to be up for a day.”

Artists are given the freedom to make whatever they want. Previous events have included displays of lanterns, mushrooms, jellyfish, stars and flowers. Iveson said she has heard from a few artists that are working to create a dragon and a giant guitar.

Participants will be able to peruse the different installations, enjoy a puppet show, warm up by a bonfire, and possibly see some snow and ice sculptures. Iveson noted this year is the first year that weather may impact the event. The 2021 Winter HooPla was canceled due to the pandemic, but the event has never been canceled due to snow. Forecasts show chances for snow and cold weather, which could allow artists to create some snow sculptures.

Wegscheider said updates about the event, and potential inclement weather impacts, will be posted on The Art Garden’s social media pages.

The event is free to attend and is funded by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts as well as the cultural councils of Buckland, Charlemont, Hawley, Colrain, Conway, Heath, Shelburne and Rowe.

“We couldn’t do these things without them,” Iveson said.

Wegscheider added that the event would not be possible without the support of the artists and The Art Garden’s volunteers. Volunteer “worker bee” hours will be held so people can pop in and work on displays. Anyone who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to call 413-625-2782.

Limited parking will be available on-site for those with mobility issues. Other participants are encouraged to park at the Salmon Falls Gallery lot on Ashfield Street or downtown and then walk over.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.