The Maplewood Village Alliance (MVA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs will host the 3rd Annual Maplewood Art Walk & Music Fest on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Maplewood Village.
A free event that features professional artists, photographers and jewelry craft artisans from throughout New Jersey displaying and selling their handcrafted work, the Art Walk is highlight of the town’s fall social calendar. The centerpiece is a juried fine art show.
Nearly 50 local artists, as well as 30 local merchants and numerous arts and cultural organizations, are participating. New this year: a “Kid Zone” with several hands-on art activities, as well as a visit from the Montclair Art Museum truck.
In addition, there will be live music by local bands, and performances from local arts groups. Visitors can shop for fine art and local merchandise and then have a bite at one of Maplewood’s many restaurants.
“This community is alive with artists from many disciplines,” said Julie Doran, manager of the MVA. “The town has a strong arts community that works together to ensure that a wide variety of artistic skills are showcased properly. This day combines the best of the arts and businesses in our area.”
The fine art show will be judged by two prominent members of the local art community, Sandy Martiny and Trica Laughlin Bloom. Sandy is the Director of Cultural Affairs and the Director of the Pierro Gallery for the Village of South Orange and also an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University where she teaches in the Museum Professions Graduate Program. Tricia is Associate Curator of Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum and was a Research Associate at the Newark Museum from 2007-2011. Tricia has lived in Maplewood since 2006 and has taught at the New School for Social Research, and Rutgers University.
The winner of the juried art show will receive a $250 cash prize; the runner-up will receive a $150 gift certificate from Restaurant Lorena’s.
Vanessa Pollock of Keller Williams Realty and Mona Lisa Framing are the event’s presenting sponsors. Atlantic Health | Overlook Hospital is sponsoring the Children’s Community Mural, and Village Trattoria and No. 165 are sponsoring the Balloon Twisting and Cotton Candy. Supporting sponsors include Valentine Plumbing, BCB Community Bank, Geralyn’s Art Studio and The Tenth Muse Gallery.
The Art Walk is a rain or shine event. For more information, and a look at some of the artists’ work, visit the event Facebook page.
