Author and illustrator R. W. Thompson speaks to a group about his books.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WESTFIELD — On Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Westfield will be filled with fine art, literature, live music and community during ARToberFEST 2026.
In preparation for the event, the call for artists, authors and street performers is officially out. Bill Westerlind, president of ArtWorks Westfield, which runs ARToberFEST, said artists and authors wishing to participate in the juried show should submit their applications.
“All our shows are juried shows. There are tons of craft shows and vendor shows; we’re trying to distinguish ourselves as fine artists and local authors. We are attracting fine artists from around New England to Westfield to be in our shows. That’s the space we’re operating in,” he said.
Westerlind said ARToberFEST attracts artists from all over New England and New York, the Pioneer Valley, Vermont, Connecticut and Westfield. “Every year we get responses from a greater number of Westfield artists we didn’t know were out there.” Last year, 21 Westfield-based artists participated in the show.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 2, and artists are notified no later than Sept. 7. “They should not wait that late, but get their applications ASAP,” he said. Applications and more information about the show are available at artworkswestfield.com.
ARToberFEST has the capacity to host 75 to 80 fine artists, fine artisans and authors. As of July 28, 100 applications have already been received. Westerlind said that, as a juried show, total exhibitor applications often exceed capacity. Local authors make up 10-15% of the show.
“We encourage folks to get applications in quickly to go through the curation and jurying process. That’s how we pick out the best quality and a good mix of different mediums, which is what makes the show very attractive,” Westerlind said.
“Many times we are showing the same artists that have been in our shows every single time, but between 25 and 45% are new to us. We’re constantly attracting new people and different types of work that add diversity to the show. Part of the attraction of all our exhibitions is never the same old, same old; always a different mix,” he added.
ARToberFEST sets up on the western side of Elm Street, from Arnold Street up to the Westfield Athenaeum. This year, there will also be six or seven artists on the Church Street walkway in the 10-by-10 spaces.
Westerlind said there would also be street musicians playing, some amplified and some acoustic. “We’re looking for different performers, such as jugglers, people on stilts and actors in costume. We’re trying to mix it up,” he said.
“We want the art or literature to be the main player, and others to complement what we’re doing with the art. The merchants love it; all these people coming downtown into their cafes and restaurants. Many of them say that one day is their highest revenue day per year.”
Westerlind said ArtWorks also reaches out to the other art and cultural organizations in town to participate. Westfield on Weekends usually has an art show in the WOW Center at 105 Elm St., and the Westfield Athenaeum hosts activities for kids or a presentation in the Lang Auditorium.
“ArtWorks is an art and cultural organization,” Westerlind said. “We know the arts drive the local economy and attract visitors, tourists and guests into the city. ArtoberFest is one of the largest downtown attractions. So many people tell us they wait all year for ARToberFEST. It’s a big win for the city; we like to think of ourselves not just for events and community experiences, but a rising tide lifting all boats for the city of Westfield.”
ArtWorks also hosts the Friday night concert series in the Elm Street Plaza, which runs through the end of August from 7-9 p.m., although people often come down early and set up their lawn chairs to enjoy the shows.
Upcoming shows include Creamery Station on July 31 and the Tom Ingram Band on Aug. 7. Madison Curbelo returns on Aug. 14, and the final show on Aug. 21 is Oakland Stroke, which Westerlind said is an eight-piece “Tower of Power” sound. A rain date is set for Aug. 28 if any of the shows get rained out. “Last year, what we did is the band that was rained out couldn’t make it, so we will schedule another band,” he said.
“Everything we do is free to the community. There are no suggested donations, no ticket sales; we don’t pass the hat. We have a great bundle of sponsors,” Westerlind said. “Regardless, philosophically, we never wanted to set up a barrier to people enjoying the arts. We don’t want to shut people out.”
