October's Occasion for the Arts Expands

By Amber Lester Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Master artists will have the chance to celebrate their craft at two new arts events presented in conjunction with An Occasion for the Arts in October.

The Williamsburg Economic Development Authority, in cooperation with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will host two new arts events on Oct. 2. The An Occasion for the Arts Celebrates Contemporary Artisans event will allow contemporary artisans to demonstrate and sell work on the lawn of the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Meanwhile, painters will practice the time-honored tradition of plein air painting (painting outdoors) in the Historic Area and at Merchants Square.

An Occasion for the Arts (AOFTA) is an annual juried art show, to be held this year on Oct. 3. During the same weekend, the College of William and Mary welcomes students’ families for Family Weekend and the Williamsburg Symphonia Under the Stars concert. The new arts events are designed to add more attractions to the multi-day event, in hopes of encouraging overnight visitors to stay, dine and shop, according to a city press release.

The new contemporary artisan showcase will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. on Oct. 2. Colonial Williamsburg will offer free “Historic Trades” tickets to the show’s visitors, allowing them access to all Colonial Williamsburg museums and Historic Trade Shops. The tickets will have to be used Oct. 2 or Oct. 3.

The plein air artists will attempt to capture the changing colors, light and shadows of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Merchants Square from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 2. From 4 to 5 p.m. that same afternoon, they’ll sell the works they created before the Symphonia’s concert at 5:30 p.m.

The new events were proposed by An Occasion for the Arts’ community task force, which includes representatives from AOFTA, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the City of Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, the Williamsburg Symphonia, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and The Blue Talon Bistro. The events help the EDA fulfill its goal to promote Williamsburg as a travel destination, said Monty Mason, chair of the EDA.

“An Occasion for the Arts, with the Williamsburg Symphonia Music Under the Stars concert, is already a very successful event with excellent brand recognition and a reputation for high quality,” he said. “By partnering with Colonial Williamsburg and members of the business community, we are able to add two complementary events that will attract new audiences and add reasons for visitors – both new and returning – to spend the entire weekend here.”

To learn more about An Occasion for the Arts, click here.