ENFIELD — Enfield is about to experience a burst of creativity with the arrival of Art Squash Enfield, a new community arts exhibition, organized by the Enfield Culture and Arts Commission, designed to celebrate local talent while planting the seeds for a more vibrant arts culture in town.
The inaugural event will take place on Friday, Oct. 17, from 6-9 p.m. at Thompson Hall, 4 Alden Ave., and promises a night of colorful art, community connection and plenty of surprises.
The idea for the exhibition came from an unexpected source. Organizer Joyce Bolanos credits her husband for sparking the concept. “The inspiration for Art Squash Enfield came from my husband Dan. He loves squash. He grows squash and he makes awesome squash recipes,” she said. As the name took shape, a young artist helped cement it. “A friend of my son, who is also an accomplished artist herself, Sara Baillargeon, said, ‘Call it Art Squash’ and it stuck. The colors of squashes are brilliant, and it is so New England.”
Bolanos says the mission behind Art Squash Enfield is bigger than just one night. “The mission is to jumpstart a visual arts community in Enfield. We have been lagging in that aspect. We want to connect with local and surrounding artists to transform Enfield into a vibrant art destination. And Art Squash Enfield is just the spark that we needed.”
The community’s response has already exceeded expectations. More than 30 artists from the greater Hartford region and surrounding towns will be participating, with work ranging from sculpture and woodworking to digital art, acrylics and oils. “We are excited that Art Squash has encouraged long-time artists to even do their first exhibit, ever,” Bolanos said. “It’s going to be exciting to see the wide range of talent and experience.”
What sets the show apart is its playful theme. “Art Squash is unique as it is a themed exhibition,” Bolanos explained. “We hope to encourage artists to go beyond their regular way of expressing themselves to think outside what they usually do. This year’s inaugural theme is what the term ‘squash’ means to them — is it a metaphor? A vegetable? The verb? The sport? Could be anything that ‘squash’ means to them. We are excited and looking forward to what they come up with!”
Leading up to the event, organizers have been busy engaging with the community. “We have mostly been engaging through social media, we will be putting up a sign at the town’s community board near the town hall as the event approaches as well,” Bolanos said. “We are selling Art Squash merchandise at the Enfield Farmer’s Market every Sunday. We have also gone to small businesses around the area and posted posters, and we have handed out Save the Date invites as well. Check out our Art Squash Facebook page.”
Looking ahead, Bolanos hopes Art Squash Enfield will become a cornerstone of the regional arts calendar. “We want to make it a must to exhibit in the regional art world. Every year it will be themed, and so it will be an opportunity for the artist to go beyond their self-expression.”
Most of all, Bolanos wants the event to feel welcoming and fun. “We want the public to know that it will be fun, and a creative dress code is encouraged.” In addition to the opening reception, the exhibit will run on Oct. 18 from 1-5 p.m. and Oct. 19 from 1-4 p.m.
With creativity, community spirit, and yes, a touch of squash, Art Squash Enfield hopes to leave a lasting impression on the local arts scene.
