Info on the 5th annual Highland Park Arts in the Park festival!
Main Street Highland Park celebrates the 5th annual Arts in the Park festival, which will feature the work of up to 50 artists. Local restaurants create a sidewalk café for the first time during the arts festival Up to 50 handpicked artists from across the state will show and sell their art at the 5th annual Arts in the Park festival.
The festival, which is expected to draw between 10,000 and 12,000 attendees, is from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13 on Raritan Avenue between Second and Fifth avenues.
“It’s a great afternoon of diversity and a broad mix of extraordinary art,” said James McCrone, Executive Director of Main Street Highland Park (MSHP). “There is something for everyone – for the serious art buyer, there will be a wealth of serious, committed artists, and for families, it’s a fun day.”
A committee of artists and MSHP officials selected the participating artists. McCrone said the number of artists who participate has stayed constant over the years because “the committee made a conscious decision not to grow the festival at the expense of quality.”
The artwork will be judged and the first place winner will receive $75, second place will get $50 and third place will be awarded $25.
Lauren Curtis, who has showcased her art every year, won an honorable mention the first year she participated. She’s hoping to catch the judges’ eyes this year.
“In the past I’ve done photography, greeting cards and T-shirts, but I’m doing mixed media this year,” the Somerset resident said. “It includes photography, but it’s more collages that are adhered to wood and canvas using nails and string.”
Rick Black, a Highland Park artist who runs Turtle Light Press, will be selling handmade books, Highland Park notepads and prints and Japanese prints. This year will be his fourth time exhibiting.
“It’s great to do because it’s my hometown and a lot of my art is connected to Highland Park,” he said.
Black also said the festival allows him to publicize his business. “People discover me that haven’t heard of me before,” he said.
While the number of artists has remained steady, MSHP is introducing a new feature this year – sidewalk cafes.
In the past, vendors sold food during the festival, but McCrone wanted to take advantage of the eclectic mix of restaurants in Highland Park, so a few restaurant owners will turn the block between Second and Third avenues into a sidewalk café by bringing tables and chairs outside for dining.
“It’s a win-win for everybody,” McCrone said, adding that participating restaurants and possible special menus will be announced at a later date.
MSHP will also welcome new music this year. Pop and rock bands performed in the past. While the music was entertaining, it took away from the mood of the day, McCrone said. This year, MSHP has lined up six groups that will compliment the day more. The music will range from jazz to orchestral to a cappella, he said. MORE More Information
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