“ArtsFest” returns to New Rochelle and Pelham, kicking off on Friday, October 6th with an Arts in Oktoberfest Gallery Hop, then continuing all weekend with a full calendar of art events and activities. Highlights include behind-the-scenes tours of working artists’studios -- including world renowned 3-D artist Charles Fazzino’s Museum Editions studio, where visitors can meet the artist and dabble in interactive arts projects – as well as a family art events at the BID Grand Market, a Classic Car Show, Arch for Kids interactive activity at the Huguenot Children’s Library, and the 6th annual Lincoln Avenue Arts & Culture Fest (sponsored by grow! LPGC) with activities, demos, food and music.
Also on the menu are art exhibits at the Rotunda Gallery, College of New Rochelle, Iona College, Montefiore NR and the New Rochelle Public Library, interactive activities at the Pelham Arts Center all weekend, and a free trolley providing transportation between four major points both days. The weekend winds up Sunday with the “If I Had A Hammer” Music Festival featuring live music on two stages at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Donations collected at the music festival will help send experienced Habitat for Humanity builders to help rebuild in storm-ravaged Texas and Florida.
“Each year ArtsFest grows in different directions,” observed NRCA President Theresa Kump Leghorn. “We chose the October date this year to allow a little time between the Street Fair in September and ArtsFest. And that gave us the idea for our Arts in Oktoberfest gallery tour kickoff, with beer and cider tastings at several different galleries from 6 to 8 pm on Friday.” The ArtsFest steering committee includes Leghorn and NRCA Board members Charles Fazzino and Angela Derecas Taylor along with Julie Maner, Scott Seaboldt, Lynn Honeysett and Anki King.
An official ArtsFest calendar will be mailed to city residents and available at venues as well as online. “Designing, printing and mailing the calendar, plus the cost of renting the trollies and other equipment really adds up, so we’re very grateful to the generous sponsors who make ArtsFest possible,” added Leghorn. ArtsFest sponsors so far include Gwendolyn Appleyard Trust, Charles Fazzino, ArtsWestchester, Montefiore NR, Alvin & Friends Restaurant, Iona College, Pepe Mercedes Benz, Gallery Roc and AJ’s Burgers.
Participating artists and venues as of press time include Alvin & Friends Restaurant, the Classic Car Show sponsored by AJ’s Burgers, Capoeira Luanda, Coleman School of Dance,
College of New Rochelle Mooney Center Gallery, Marie Hines Cowan, Dance Connection, Empty Hand Zen Center, Charles Fazzino Studio, Flowers by Sutton, Gallery Roc, Ground Floor Co-working, High Brook Studios, Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse, Huguenot Children’s Library, Iona College Council on the Arts, If I Had a Hammer Music Festival at Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, Jolo’s Vegan Restaurant and Art Gallery, 6th Annual Lincoln Avenue Arts & Culture Festival, Lord and Andra, Media Loft, MESH Print Studio, Patricia Miner-Sutherland, NRCA Rotunda Gallery at City Hall, New Rochelle Public Library, Pelham Art Center, Queen City Gallery at Montefiore NR, R Tea Boutique, Thomas Paine Cottage Museum, Martha Valenzuela, Vincents Fine Jewelry and Wolfs Lane Park.
Organized by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, ArtsFest highlights the variety of arts and arts venues in New Rochelle and Pelham, with art exhibits, programs and family-friendly activities at more than 30 venues that give both visitors and residents alike a window into the city’s rich cultural and artistic diversity. The celebration will include live music, great food, exciting performances, and eclectic shopping. Visit the NRCA website at www.newrochellearts.org or email info@newrochellearts.org for more information.