The Westport Downtown Merchant Association’s (WDMA) Fine Arts Festival has remained a highlight for art-lovers, families, and anyone looking for a wonderful, outdoor summertime experience. People come from throughout New England and the tri-state area to enjoy live music, unique street performances, children’s activities and the opportunity to purchase unique, quality, original works of art.
This year, the festival will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Westport's Parker Harding Plaza and Gorham Island.
Each year the WDMA works hard to bring together talented artists from across the country exhibiting works in a variety of media: painting, watercolor, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and the recently added categories of glass, ceramics, fiber, jewelry, wood, and digital art. The selection jury is careful to balance the old and the new.
Organizers keep this long-standing event fresh by making small tweaks and big changes. Last year, six new categories were added to support the demand for high quality crafts such as fine jewelry and new techniques that utilize computers and other technology. Applications in glass, ceramics, fiber, jewelry, wood, and digital art increased substantially, and the Festival will feature exceptional pieces in all of these areas. Artists using materials such as every particle shape of glass, platinum, gold, diamonds, map coordinates, linen, birch bark, metal “paper,” found objects, and using new techniques have created incredible works of art.
From its beginnings in 1973, the show has grown, expanded, and moved, but it still has something for everyone with the quaint New England charm and sophisticated shopping of downtown Westport as its backdrop.
Admission is free. For more information, visit WDMA at westportdma.com.