The Village Squire, 1981-06, Page 19Ari
by Elaine Townshend
Art in the Park
Watching painters at work, browsing through booths of creative crafts and buying original
works by local artists is a fascinating way to spend a summer afternoon. Many Western
Ontario centres take advantage of picturesque parks to display the artistic talents of their
communities. Goderich and Stratford are two examples.
Festival of Arts and Crafts will take place in Court House Square, Goderich, from 10 a.m.
to 9 p.m. July 23 and 24, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 25.
The Festival includes creative arts and crafts. a photography contest open to all amateurs
(with a special section for students). a summer art gallery and other exhibits.
Art categories include drawing, water-colour. acrylics. collage, sculpture, oil and others.
Photography has two sections -black and white and colour. Categories include pictorial,
human interest. abstract and special effect.
Participants are invited to demonstrate their art and may sell their work if they wish. No
commercial enterprises are allowed; all works must be done by the exhibitor. Judging of the
contests takes place Thursday morning with prizes awarded in the evening.
Further information may be obtained from the Recreation Office, 166 MacDonald Street.
Goderich, or from Lu Legg, 97 West Street, Goderich.
Canadian artists will display. demonstrate and sell their works on the lovely landscaped
lawns bordering the Thames River in Stratford from Saturday. June 20 to Labor Day.
Admission is free. Art In the Park is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
weather permitting. with the exception of July 11 and 12. On that weekend, the volunteer
committee of Stratford Art Gallery sponsors a Festival of Arts and Crafts in a nearby arena.
Art In The Park is an open-air presentation of the Stratford Art In the Park Association.
which was formed approximately 15 years ago to promote and encourage Canadian art.
Exhibits include art pieces and some crafts. Most participants are amateurs. All works
must be original and must be processed by a jury. Art In The Park is a well -structured juried
show with strict rules and regulations.
More information may be obtained from the president of Stratford Art In The Park
Association, Jean Edmunds of Mitchell, telephone 348-8812, or from Stratford Information
Centre, telephone 271-7080.
Mrs. Edmunds says, "The association feels we are a benefit to Stratford and to
tourists...people enjoy browsing and watching artists work."
That's what art in the park in Western Ontario is all about! fl
PG. 18 VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1981