Located between two Stratford Festival theatres, Art in the Park benefits from those three words every realtor loves to recite: location, location, location.
Thousands of tourists happen by the open ‘park’ area during the warmer months, stopping in to admire – and hopefully purchase – artwork from local artists.
Art in the Park has been a mainstay in the Festival City for 54 years, recently taking a two year sabbatical for reasons we are all too familiar with.
Bev Hewitt, a stained glass artist and executive committee member, told StratfordToday that the membership, some 60 artists, are excited to get back to their open space near the Avon River, between the newly built Tom Patterson Theatre and Festival Theatre.
Customers can shop for a variety of artwork in eight categories, including painting, sculpting and jewelry, amongst others.
“Quite a mixture,” said Hewitt.
Artists are ‘juried’, assuring a high standard, Hewitt said. This guidance was suggested by the City of Stratford in the early days of Art in the Park and has served it well.
Members have been in promotion mode for the last few weeks, getting the word out to businesses, including hotels, bed and breakfasts and restaurants.
Hewitt said local businesses are big fans. Artists will often get asked by tourists for their recommendations for dining or accommodation. They are quite willing to provide some favourites.
Hewitt and the artists are hoping for good weather on Saturday when they start the season.
Art in the Park runs Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
