MELROSE — More than 40 local and area artists displayed and sold their work at the 18th Annual Melrose Arts Festival, held at Memorial Hall in Melrose on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27. The free festival is a popular cultural event each spring in Melrose. It included original artwork for sale, as well as live music from several local musicians, food trucks both days of the festival, a community art project run by Follow Your Art Community Studios of Melrose, caricatures, face painting and a raffle featuring a variety of exciting prizes.
“We have enjoyed participating in the art festival as exhibitors, volunteers, or just visitors for over 15 years,” says Nancy Roll of the jewelry making duo, Nancy and Jon Roll. “All artists enjoy being able to talk with visitors about their inspirations and processes. I have found that many visitors are creative people themselves so it’s a chance to connect with other positive and creative people.”
Founded in 2006, the Melrose Arts Festival has always aimed to showcase the outstanding original work of the many artists from Melrose and the surrounding areas. Artists showed a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, glass, printmaking, fabric art, jewelry, assemblage, woodworking, sculpture and collage. All artwork at the show was for sale by the artists.
“We love sharing our whimsical glasswork at the Melrose Arts Festival!” says second year festival participant Madeline Shir of Shir Glassworks. “We are excited to bring new glass figurines, cups, jewelry and sculpture to our display this year. The event brings together an enthusiastic audience of supporters!”
This year’s fundraising raffle included many prizes, including original artwork, gift baskets from Melrose businesses, a variety of gift cards to local stores and restaurants, and tickets to local museums. The proceeds from the raffle go to support Melrose Arts, the volunteer-only organization behind the Arts Festival.
Both days of the show included live music from local musicians, including Violet & Co., Mark Thompson and Jason English, Santon Music and The Peanut Gallery. Food was available at the show from La Cabana and Mama Jean. Other events at the show included a Junior Artisan Market on the lower level and a community art project designed by Follow Your Art Community Studios where participants consisting of both kids and adults had an opportunity to create their own acrylic art on canvas using Posca markers. Caricatures by Matt Benson and face painting by Florence Lee were also available to show attendees.
The Melrose Arts Committee hoped for a record turnout of attendees at this year’s festival. It has grown so much since its inception, and they expect it to continue to be a standout community event for years to come.
