“Artists in the Country” features the best in local and regional art
If looking at fine art in stuffy galleries where voices are reduced to respectful whispers is not your idea of fun, then you might enjoy this more laid back and relaxing take on the art experience.
“Artists in the Country” is a professionally juried show of local and regional artists displaying their wares in a beautiful rural setting in Woodstock. You’ll leave your car behind in a field-turned-parking lot and wander past a pond toward the farm and its barn, which are given over to white tents full of paintings, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, photography and many other art forms. More than 18 acres of farmland are open during this event, which also offers a variety of food and live music. Bagged lunches and picnics are encouraged. It’s easy to spend an afternoon here relaxing in the sunshine, wandering around the grounds, talking with the artists, and enjoying a simpler way of life.
This well-known two-day event was founded in 2001 by Ann Chuk, an educator who owns the property, as a creative way to help
raise money for autistic children. Since then, all proceeds from the event (which are raised primarily through a small admissions fee) have gone to support “camperships” for autistic campers at Eden’s Retreat Center in nearby Chaplin. During the event, the entire old barn is decorated with the artworks of more than 300 area children, which together creates a very colorful and interesting effect worth experiencing.
This year, “Artists in the Country” will be held on Saturday, September 25 (from 10 am to 5 pm) and Sunday, September 26 (11 am to 4:30 pm). The work of more than 40 artists will be on display. Each day includes a menu of demonstrations and an entertainment series, including folk music, an a capella singing group, and a fife and drum corps. If you’re up for a peaceful day in the country and love artwork, then this is an event not to be missed! Other events are held throughout the year.
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This year’s Artists in the Country was terrific – beautiful weather – varied and spectacular art – silent auction with a donation from each artist from , several music groups from an acapella women’s quartet, to bluegrass duet, to hoola hooping to music, to a solo children’s drummer. There was even a drum and file group in authentic costumes drumming and fifing up the dirt path to the barn. In the barn was an amazing collection of children’s submitted from local schools displayed on the walls and the children brought their families to proudly show off their entries. Recorded music was piped in throughout each day which made the atmosphere even more upbeat. Close to 40 people volunteered to help Ann out, many of whom have volunteered since the beginning of the show.They all wore green Artist in the Country T shirts with charming graphics – these are for sale in several color.
Our family made it a time for a small family reunion with three of our over 80 member attending. Of course Ann was the center as she is cousin, niece, daughter and mother to the family that gathered.
We are so proud of her for all the work she has put in year after year to make this such a successful event, to honor the importance of art in our lives and to share the beauty of nature and creativity.
looking for an artist that was at the mystic art festival august 14 2010 he was on a side street motorcycle looking guy looked paralized on one side my husband and i saw a picture of a motorcycle near the water he painted and wished we baught it any help would be great he was not registered 610-469-6763
Hi. If he wasn’t registered there isn’t much I can do to help except suggest that you call one of the registered vendors that were nearby. The Mystic Chamber of Commerce might be able to help as well: 860-572-9578. Good luck and come back next summer, Aug 14-15, 2011.