If there is one predominant trait about Weehawken, it's the immense creative talent that its residents collectively possess. There are scores of painters, sculptors and artists -- some world renowned. The list is endless.
"Weehawken really has so much talent," said Sarah Crew, the director of the township's Cultural Affairs Committee, last week. "There are so many talented people. Everyone should know how much artistic talent we have in this town. It's wonderful to get the artists' names out there so everyone can see who they are."
That's why Crew gets so excited when it comes time to hold the township's Arts and Crafts Festival, featuring tables of the creations of some of the town's best artists.
In years past, the Arts and Crafts Festival was held along Boulevard East. Last year, the Festival moved to Lincoln Harbor Park.
This year, for a change of pace, the Festival will not only be held at Lincoln Harbor Park again, but it will be held during the Weehawken Day Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29).
"We decided to move it to the Weehawken Day Festival because it brings more exposure and more people," Crew explained. "To get 3,000 people at one spot for one event is amazing. It doesn't happen at many craft fairs. The Weehawken Day has such an emphasis on children, but there's not much for adults. This way, the parents can look at all the great work done by the artists, and it's a nice chance to get a head start on Christmas shopping."
Liberty Vallance is a ceramist who makes decorative pottery and sculptures. Ironically, she lives at a very appropriate intersection in town -- on the corner of Liberty Place and Potter Place.
"It just turned out that way," Vallance explained.
Vallance has been a mainstay at the Arts and Crafts Festival since its inception.
"It's very nice to participate in a celebratory event in the community," Vallance said. "A day like this shows the spirit of the community. It should be an exciting event. Even my mom is coming to help me that day, so that should tell you how excited I am."
Vallance also is astounded at the amount of talented artists there are in the town.
"It is really amazing," Vallance said. "When you see all these creative people, it really makes you feel proud of the community."
Crew said that she is hopeful to get a good turnout from vendors for the festival.
"I think we'll have some good vendors with a good variety of items on sale," Crew said. "It's a good way for the residents to get to know who you are. Some artists even get commissioned to do work because someone spotted them at the festival. This year, since it's tied in with Weehawken Day, it will bring even more exposure. I think it's the best thing that could have happened to vendors and to potential customers. I think something like this has a chance to just grow and snowball."
The prospective vendors will be assigned a 10-by-10 foot area and a table will be provided. The application fee is $25 for Weehawken residents and $35 for non-residents. The Arts and Crafts Festival will be set up strategically at the entrance to the Weehawken Day Festival, so everyone who enters will walk past the vendors and their work.
For further information, contact Sarah Crew at (201) 867-8447.
Post a Comment