Greeley Park Art Show features artists working in a variety of media
By Zachary Lewis
[email protected]
The time is now for the 71st Greeley Park Art Show in Nashua on Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day put on by the Nashua Area Artists’ Association. Lauren Boss, co-director of the Greeley Park Art Show, is excited for the two days filled with art along with co-director Jacqueline Barry.
“We’ve been co-directors for, oh goodness, several, several years,” Boss said.
If there is a style of art, it will be represented at Greeley Park.
“All the artists, it’s all different mediums and all different styles. We have artists that work in pastels and colored pencils, oils, and we have potters and woodworkers, people that work with glass. All different mediums, all different styles. It’s great because everybody’s different…. There’s something for everyone because it’s so diverse…. There’s going to be 50 artists displayed.”
There is a silent auction but the artists will be happy to talk with attendees about their craft. “Everybody loves to talk about how they do it. You can ask them everything and they are very willing to talk to you about it.”
The attendees are just as impressive as the art itself.
“One artist several years ago had said, ‘This is a great show and people know a lot and you can tell the people come back year after year because of the questions they’re asking and how knowledgeable they are.’”
Everyone is invited, even the furriest Granite Staters.
“Whatever pet you happen to have, whatever pets are well-behaved are welcome. Come on out and have a great time…. The park’s huge. You get people walking and biking. People with their kids. A lot of people plan vacations around the art show.”
An art competition takes place both days.
“Saturday there’s an adult art competition for the people in the show. It’s broken down by medium; pastels, oils, mixed-media, whatever their medium is, so there’s a first, second, and third in the medium and then the best in show. We give away a lot of cash prizes that way.”
Sunday’s competition is for kids.
“It’s 6 to 18 and they bring their artwork so their artwork’s hung and that’s judged and they get prizes also, art related prizes to encourage the kids to keep on going.”
Some speciality booths will be popped up around the park as well.
“We give away two scholarships every year and those artists are also displaying at the park, they have a tent set up and they’re there with some of their artwork…. The raffle tent has local people. Local businesses donate gift certificates or gift bags, some of the artists donate paintings, or whatever they do, and that’s raffled off.”
As mentioned before, the silent auction is an aspect of the Art Show that has a great selection of art.
“There’s a silent auction that we do for higher-priced items, so that’s really cool to do also and that goes to the educational fund, so that could be scholarships, community outreach, demonstrations that we do throughout the year, and stuff like that.”
Certain years there is music in the park, and this year is one of those years.
“There will be a musician both Saturday and Sunday. George Parker plays acoustic guitar and stops and plays at various spots at the park. He is really a nice addition to the show. …There’s a lot that goes on with the Art Show, just a lot that goes on.”
Hot dog and ice cream vendors may be on the street.
“Sometimes there’s an ice cream truck. There are the hot dog people that are there, but they’re not ours.”
Boss was not able to pick a favorite medium or artist and when asked said, “Honestly, all of them. They are amazing, it’s like a museum. We have artists that have won awards from all over the world…. It’s amazing, they really are. I love our artists. They’re really nice, they’re funny, they’re great, they really are.”
“They’re very personable when you go into their booth. Some of the people are actually there painting and drawing…. There’s one woman who does colored pencils and she’s amazing and I think when you ask her, it’s an inch an hour is what it takes her to do her drawings and when you look at them they’re just incredible.”
Whether it’s community, art, or a pleasant day at the park, the Greeley Park Art Show has been the place to be for over 70 years.
“Through the years I’ve seen families grow up and it’s cool…. You see them grow through the years…. It’s just a great event for everybody,” Boss said.
Nashua Area Artists’ Association
71st Greeley Park Art Show
100 Concord St., Nashua
Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission
nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow
Featured image: Artwork by David Bower. Courtesy photo.
