the Fourth Annual Art Walk
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Photos by Sandy Alexander Dessa Lea Productions except noted
The Stonington Borough Merchants Association has announced that its one-day outdoor art fair, the Fourth Annual Art Walk, is returning to Stonington Borough – expanded to include more artists, music, and food than previous events. The Art Walk, free to the public, will take place Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, and is expected to attract artists and visitors from across New England.
For the first time, Water Street between Pearl Street and Church Street will be closed for the day to accommodate the event. Painters, illustrators, watercolorists, sculptors, potters, and photographers will line the street with tents, and select Stonington Borough merchants will host artists at their storefronts.
“This year’s Art Walk will feature our most wide-ranging lineup of artists and activities to date, and visitors will have the added benefit of strolling through the center of Water Street for the day,” said Deborah Norman, Board member of the Stonington Borough Merchants Association. “We’ve expanded the scale of this festive and family-friendly event to showcase the best of the regional art scene, right in the heart of our historic seaside village.”
Affiliated activities will take place in support of the Art Walk:
Cove Ledge Beer, Wine and Spirits will host a group of Velvet Mill artists in its backyard garden (147 Water Street) in support of a new exhibition, “Looking Forward” during the Art Walk.
September 9 through October 31, La Grua Center will feature an exhibit, “Celebrating Our Region’s Hispanic Artists,” highlighting artists of Expressiones and the Hispanic Alliance, open to the public for a suggested donation of $5.
Stonington Free Library will distribute free Art Walk Grab & Go Bags for kids and adults on September 17, while supplies last.
A group show of 8-10 art students will be presented at the house of Sally Vail at 165 Water Street on the day of the Art Walk.
Our favorite potter and Art Walk participant, Lyndsay Meiklem Dean of Glaze Handmade, will be launching The Glaze Vase Project on the day of the Art Walk. Inspired by the Glass Float Project, Lyndsay will be hiding forty tiny vases throughout Stonington Borough for seekers to find. She plans to hide new batches of vases a few times a year.
Food
In addition to the Borough’s restaurants, there will be food vendors in Wadawanuck Square (22 High Street) including Zest Fresh Pastry serving crepes, and The Tiny Tavern serving tasty non-alcoholic beverages. To celebrate the upcoming opening of the Boro Bodega and Scoopery, Andrew Field will be serving up ice cream!
Music
New to this year’s event are pop-up performances along Water Street and two performances on Wadawanuck Square featuring jazz, classical, and blues artists. All musical programs are coordinated by Simon Holt of Salt Marsh Opera.
WADAWANUCK SQUARE
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - PoP from RI Phil Music School at the United
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Mama Train Jazz Band
POP-UP LOCATIONS
10:00 am - Skip McKinley, playing traditional Irish music, joined by Greg Jonvic on the Irish pipes and Jared Schrader on the guitar and whistle
11:00 am to 12:00 pm - Rich McSweeney, Acoustic Jazz Guitar
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Alexander McGrath, Violin
“This will be my third year at the Art Walk. I’ll have a selection of street scenes of Stonington, Mystic, and New York City. I’m looking forward to another very good event.”
“We participated in the Stonington Borough Art Walk for the first time in 2021. It was our all-time best sales day so far, and it was so great to meet everyone who attended. Looking forward to this year!”
the FOURTH Annual Art Walk Artists
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO DISCOVER THE ARTISTS AND VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERIES
