Arts Festival to return to Green for third year

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — It’s that time of year, when the New Milford Village Green transforms into a meeting place for artists and art enthusiasts.

The New Milford Arts Festival will be held Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Far more than 50 artists from a handful of mediums will unite to showcase and sell their art as part of the third annual arts festival. 

In addition, music, theater, and dance performances will be featured throughout the day.

The event is sponsored by the Town and its arts commission.

“We have more artists participating than the past two years,” said Lou Mandler, chair of the arts commission. “And we think we have a terrific selection.”

The festival will feature fine artists from the region, including Litchfield County and beyond.

Many of the artists will return from years’ past, but Mandler noted some new exhibitors will participate, including a caricaturist and a cartoonist.

Showcasing new artists keeps the event lively. These two are “something that people would enjoy,” Mandler said.

Watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawing, photography, woodwork, pottery, and jewelry are among the mediums to be highlighted.

Several woodworkers will participate this year, including an artist from Afghanistan “who does some interesting work,” according to Mandler.

One of the potters, she said, creates pieces that are a combination of sculpture and ceramics. “They’re not traditional bowls and vases….she has some whimsical things.”

Also new this year is an exhibit of art by New Milford High School students.

“The fact we can display the talent of the New Milford youth, we’re really happy to do that and proud to do that,” Mandler said.

Live music, theater and dance performances, and visual art displays will complement the visual displays.

Performers will include TheatreWorks Kids, FineLine Theater and Studio D, a high school band, and a solo performance presented by Bear Claw Academy of Music.

Art organizations FineLine, Studio D, Merryall Center, the New Milford Film Commission, the New Milford Public Library and RiverFest will be represented. 

“Art incurs performance as well as visual arts, so [this event is] an opportunity to showcase dance and music as well as the visual arts,” Mandler said.

She emphasized the studios and theaters that focus on youth – the TheaterWorks Kids program, Studio D, and FineLine – in the community.

The high school art show and the performances allow the commission to “shine a light on young people in the arts.”

Mandler related that it’s an honor to showcase the “fine art of local and out-of-town artists” and that the town appreciates the fact the festival “draws people to town so they can appreciate it, how we have a wonderful Green, some cool restaurants, and some nice shops.”

“The arts festival draws people so they can say, “Oh, I didn’t know about this,’” Mandler summed up.

Courtesy of Jonathan Schlesinger/Photographs by Jonathan Schlesinger are among the works that will be displayed June 28.

Courtesy of Rob McFarland/Works by Rob McFarland will be featured in the annual festival.