Blog: Got Art? Visit Art in the Park this Saturday

It’s the first weekend of June, which means can only mean one thing for local art
junkies – Art in the Park!  Since the early eighties, the Carroll County Arts Council has hosted this open air artisan festival on the grounds of Westminster City Hall.  Artists showcase their paintings, carvings, sculpture, jewelry and more to the delight of everyone visiting this free event on Saturday June 2 from 10am to 4pm.

About 70 artists will be showcasing their amazing their wares in this juried art show. The festival features 58 booths offering drawings, collage, fine prints, stained glass, ceramics and more.  In addition, some artists will be creating their work on site, including Artistic Accessories crafting beaded jewelry during the festival.  Melinda Byrd, an artist with a wildly varied array of artwork using different media, will also have samples of her wood print blocks available for people to see.

Art in the Park has artists that come and go, which allows for an exciting and changing show each year.  This year, the Arts Council welcomes a number of new artists, including felt crafter Melinda Beatty, wood turner Chuck Cohen and jewelry designer Joyce Fritz Ritz.   

Sometimes, art is what happens while you’re waiting for something else.  Such was the case with Melinda Beatty, a Mt. Airy silversmith who found felt and buttons as a new form of art expression while waiting for a silver order. “I found felt to be a great new medium to work with,” says Beatty. Melinda offers felt ornaments, button bracelets, and even fun birthday crowns available for sale or special order. “The Arts Council has incredible outreach to artists throughout the community, and I am excited to have an exhibit at the show,” Beatty exclaimed. 
Her work is also available on http://poorrobin.etsy.com.

Chuck Cohen is showing his work at Art in the Park for the first time. In fact, it’s the first event in which Cohen has ever shown his work. Cohen is a piano tuner by
day, wood turner by hobby.  He has been turning wood into beautiful objects for over 15 years. “It’s truly a wonderful way to relax,” says Cohen.  “And it’s
exciting to create something that you’re not sure how it’s going to turn out.”  He equated his work to the famous Forrest Gump line – “you never know what you’re going to get.” He will be selling his one-of-a-kind, hand-turned bowls, pens, vases, jewelry boxes and more on Saturday.

The journey to jewelry making was varied for Joyce Fritz Ritz, a Reisterstown native who now lives in Chestertown. Her extensive art background spans fiber art, theater, costume design, sculpture and even puppetry. “I find that creativity moves differently, from medium to medium,” says Ritz. “All of my art experiences combine for a unique perspective that I now deliver through my unique jewelry designs.”  Ritz uses different stones like jasper and agate, and wire wraps them together in unusual ways to create wearable art.  This is Ritz’s first time at Art in the Park, but she has also exhibited at the Arts Center’s Gallery of Gifts, and at shows in Annapolis, Salisbury and Easton. Her work can also be seen on www.soulyjoyce.com.

Art in the Park is not limited to just art of the visual variety. Throughout the day, the festival showcases live entertainment in a variety of methods and genres. Musicians will meander through the festival all day, and dancers will be ready to
entertain all who visit. 

Of course, you will likely work up an appetite after previewing all of the booths, so feel free to visit Birdie’s Coffee House, Gypsy’s Tea Room, Country Concessions, The Ice Cream Lady and even a hot dog cart to recharge your batteries and shop for more original and amazing art.

We’ll see you around Downtown!  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/downtownwestminster, follow us on Twitter (@mainstreetmatters) and visit us on our website (www.westgov.com).