Last Saturday May 19th Simsbury, Connecticut welcomed local artists onto their main street and into their shops for the Simsbury ArtWalk. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, perfect for the artists that hope to make the event an annual celebration of the arts. The diversity of the event made it enjoyable for all ages, and allowed many to experience local fine art, music, dance, and craft. A wide array of styles and mediums graced the streets, from practical wooden furniture, jewelry, and household items to extravagant sculpture, that was only enhanced by music and performances.
One of the most eye-catching displays was in Schultz Park, where mixed media and painted pieces hung jauntily from the trees. With the sunlight dancing through the leaves and wind gently pushing the work to and fro, the mixed media piece shown above looked like a living thing. To experience artist’s creations outdoors is an experience unlike seeing work hanging in a gallery, and both are valuable.
Many of the proceeds of this event were donated to the ABC House, a local charity that promotes the education of underprivileged young men, which you can learn more about here. The ABC House itself displayed the work of artist Jeremy Jordan, a sculptor and illustrator. His pieces were the most diverse and interesting that I found that day, and one of his wire bike sculptures, made to commemorate May as National Bike Month, had to come home with me. Jordan’s pieces have a distinct character, and I was drawn to his work because no two pieces were alike. All proceeds of his work, which included a Back to the Future themed helmet to be raffled off, were donated to the ABC House.
I hope you were able to make it to the ArtWalk, and if not that you will be inspired to attend the event next year.
