Arts & Entertainment

Popular Art Walk and Music Fest Returns to Maplewood

the 2nd Annual Maplewood Art Walk & Music Fest will be held on Sept. 29.

The Maplewood Village Alliance (MVA) and Maplewood Department of Cultural Affairs will host the 2nd Annual Maplewood Art Walk & Music Fest on September 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Maplewood Village. Once again, downtown streets will come alive with nearly 40 local artists, photographers, and jewelry makers displaying and selling their handcrafted and original work.

New this year, the event also will feature live music by several local bands performing at Ricalton Square and other locations throughout the Village. (A full schedule will be released soon.) The Art Walk will take place rain or shine. Baker Street and Highland Place will be closed to traffic; Maplewood Avenue and all township parking lots will remain open.

"Last year's inaugural event drew hundreds of people from Essex County and beyond who came to the Village to buy and view art and enjoy live entertainment and restaurant specials,” said Julie Doran, Manager of the MVA. “We wanted to build on that excitement and energy by expanding the Art Walk to also highlight the talents of local bands.”

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Vanessa Pollock of Keller Williams Midtown Direct Realty and Mona Lisa Framing are the event’s presenting sponsors. Geralyn’s Art Studio is sponsoring the Children's Community Mural, and Village Trattoria and No. 165 are sponsoring the Balloon Sculpture and Cotton Candy. There will also be an interactive chalk mural artist, face painting, tattoos and other children’s activities.

Over 30 local merchants, as well as various arts and cultural organizations, are participating. The Able Baker, Scriveners Toys & Collectibles, Perch Home, Shed and The Tenth Muse Gallery each are sponsoring individual artists.

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In addition, Overlook Medical Center is providing a shuttle service for Art Walk & Music Fest attendees who also wish to visit the South Orange Street Fair, which is taking place the same day.

The centerpiece of the event is a juried fine art show, whose entrants include some of the finest visual artists in the New York City area. This year, judges are three prominent members of the art community: Jim Oliver, Ann Schaffer and Tara O'Leary. The director of Mary Boone Gallery, Oliver is an advisor to private collectors and has personally supervised the installation of over 500 exhibitions. Schaffer serves on committees and boards for prestigious arts organizations including the Photography and Art Selection Committee of the Guggenheim Museum, and the Contemporary Arts Council of the Museum of Modern Art. O’Leary trained as an artist at the School of Visual Arts in NYC and currently shows and sells her work both locally and nationally.

The winner of “Best in Show” will receive a $200 cash prize; the runner-up will receive a $100 gift certificate from Restaurant Lorena’s. Winners will be announced immediately following the show at Art Walk sponsor Highland Place/Crane's, 5 Highland Place.

“Our area is blessed with an abundance of artists working in many disciplines, and the Art Walk & Music Fest reflects that,” said Doran. “We look forward to welcoming people to an exciting, family-friendly event that will showcase the best of what Maplewood has to offer.”


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