Music, contests and demonstrations under the tents
By Chelsea Spear
listings@hippopress.com
The annual Greeley Park Art Show will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, by the Nashua Area Arts Association. This local-favorite arts fair features work across all media from artists in Hillsborough County and beyond, as well as arts demonstrations and activities for children. Over the past seven decades Greeley Park Art Show has been a showcase for arts and crafts across different media.
“The mission has always been to encourage the arts and the artists,” Sonia Lee Gilmore, co-manager of the Nashua Arts gallery, said over Zoom in a recent interview. “[The show’s founders] felt that the best way to do that … was with a show. And I believe it started out with about 10 tents.” The fair has grown to 55 tents and two days of activities for kids and adults.
This year promises photography, watercolors, photography, woodworking and pottery among the media represented. Several nationally recognized artists, including painters like Marilene Sawaf, Monique Sakallerios and Eileen Belanger, will present their work at the fair.
Several artists will also offer live demonstrations. Caleb Gibbs, whose planetary-themed paintings have made waves at art fairs across New England, will be airbrushing a canvas at his tent. Those interested in woodworking should check out Ronald Marcoux’s tent for a live demonstration of his work. For those who want to learn to draw, colored pencil artist Tina Gagnon will be offering live tutorials of her work.
One thing that sets the Greeley Park Art Show apart from other local arts programs is its work with young artists in Nashua and beyond. An arts competition will be held on Sunday (complementing the adult art competition on Saturday) in which artists from local schools will compete in their own age groups. Kids who are interested in art can paint rocks or make a pinwheel, and those looking for less specific activities can play games like Jenga and cornhole.
Nashua Arts will also be offering live performances for all age groups. Teresa Moler, a multitalented actress and visual artist from Nashua, has created one of the show’s new traditions with her annual puppet shows, which she will present twice each day. The covers band Electrik Soul, who have performed at venues in the Nashua area, will perform live sets on both days.
Greeley Park Art Show
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua
More: nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow