New Haven’s Westville Art Walk returns this week as a 6-day event
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NEW HAVEN — Throughout the pandemic, the Westville Art Walk — conceived 25 years ago as a celebration of the neighborhood, art and spring — has managed to hold its own, even if that meant shifting some events to virtual and putting others on hold for a year or two.
So you can’t really say that it’s back — because it never really left.
But it is back this week in as close to its pre-pandemic form as it can be — and the ArtWalk, now expanded to six days, already has begun, said Lizzy Donius, executive director of the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance.
This year’s ArtWalk features live music, a fashion show, a beer garden, art exhibitions and demonstrations, walking tours, theater performances, a pet parade and an artist and artisan market, among other attractions.
“It’s a community arts festival and a celebration of spring,” Donius said. “Basically, every year on Mother’s Day weekend, for 25 years, we … bring out the community to be together and to celebrate our artists.”
Among activities returning this year is the Friday night beer garden, Donius said.
As usual, the Westville ArtWalk celebrates above all local music and art within the city’s Westville neighborhood and the area represented by the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance.
The ArtWalk initial days featured live music, a pizza party and an improv troupe.
The rest of the schedule is as follows:
Wednesday: 6-Square Jam Art Opening Reception
, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 6-Square Jam Gallery at the Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave. It will feature a communitywide, all-inclusive art exhibition and sale to support ArtWalk and the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance. Exhibition and Sale Dates (in person and online): Wednesday, 5:30- 8:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 4-7 p.m.; and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: Family and picnic night featuring Westville-based singer Thabisa, aka Thabisa Rich, who will perform in the Edgewood Park Gazebo. The Co-op High School Choir will open, 6 p.m. Bring a blanket and your dancing shoes!
Friday: Outdoor Beer Garden sponsored by the home brewers of Brew Haven and the New England Brewing Co., 6:30 p.m. on Central Patio. LBSPinnerz will perform a fire show at 7 p.m. High Fashion leads into a community dance party at 7:30 p.m. featuring collections from Threads by Tea with additional local designs by BlackGoat Milk, Bushra Designs, Sara Ngongi, Syd University and Vintanthro Modern & Vintage. DJ Dooley-O and Alisa Bowens Mercado of Alisa’s House of Salsa keep the party going.
Saturday: A full day of events kicks off at 11 a.m., featuring:
• 2nd annual Pet Parade steps off from Coogan Pavilion in Edgewood Park at 11 a.m.
• Live ArtWalk 25 T-shirt printing with Pistachio Print Co.
• Activities for all ages in Edgewood Park including spin art, tie dye, magnetic poetry, NHFPL Book Mobile, and more.
• Artist, Artisan and Crafts Market along Central Patio & Fountain Streets featuring more than 55 local artists, artisans and crafters.
• Open Studios and Galleries including West River Arts, DaSilva Gallery, Kehler Liddell Gallery, The Smokestack and the 6-Square Jam Gallery.
• Friends of Edgewood Park host Donald Mitchell 200th anniversary Walking Tour stepping off from Coogan Pavilion at 4 p.m.
• Plein-Air art making in Edgewood Park and other live art created in real time featuring Westville artists Frank Bruckmann, Chris Ferguson, Kate Henderson, Sara Zunda, and Dan Gries.
• The 6th annual live West River Duckie Race at 3 p.m., as ducks battle the cold water to take home The Duck Cup.
• Saturday Afternoon Jam at Edgewood Park Gazebo. Live local bands Finn Wiggins-Henry, The Tines, Glambat and Mountain Movers perform 3:30-7 p.m.
• Moose Piano Lounge Live Closing Night Party at The Smokestack, featuring Chrissy Gardner, 446A Blake St.. 7:30 p.m.
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