By John Kriz
“It’s just been a beautiful day,” observed Hilary Wittmann, Executive Director of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. (https://www.carriagebarn.org)
That aptly describes last Sunday’s attendee-, energy- and sun-filled Waveny Park Arts Festival, organized by the Carriage Barn. First Selectman Dionna Carlson, who was at the Arts Festival shopping and speaking with residents, called it a “great community event.”
Now in its third year, the Waveny Park Arts Festival has grown and grown.
This year’s Arts Festival had more than fifty artist vendors, from painters to woodworkers, jewelry crafters, candle-makers and textile artists, plus several busy food trucks, live music and local theater people putting on shows.
A kids’ entrepreneurial area, where around twenty aspiring professional artists were able to show and sell their creations, was one of the Arts Festival’s highlights, said Lisa Ferrante, a Carriage Barn board member. Ms. Wittmann added that these young artist entrepreneurs “have everything from handmade ceramics, customized key chains and bats and things that they’re making using 3D laser printing, jewelry and all kinds of things.”
There was also a kids craft project area supported by volunteers from the National Charity League.
Funds raised by the Arts Festival will support the Carriage Barn’s many programs.
“People really enjoy coming to Waveny Park and wandering around, and experiencing it in a different way. And we just see a lot of happy faces and it’s great,” said Ms. Ferrante.
The Carriage Barn’s gallery was also open, with 160 for-sale pieces on display as part of its Annual Member Show, which continues through October 18. Artwork includes everything from photography to painting, sculpture and mixed media.
“This [Arts Festival] really represents what our organization is all about, which is supporting the local arts community, and supporting creative people and giving them a chance to showcase what they do,” said Ms. Wittmann.
