The New England Mosaic, a 20-foot wall of art composed of 170 canvases painted by community members.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
AGAWAM — Agawam Community Artists and Artisans is hosting its fifth annual Pioneer Valley Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24, at the Polish American Club, 139 Southwick St., Feeding Hills, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be 75 artists and artisans participating in the festival. The featured display, The New England Mosaic, a 20-foot wall of art composed of 170 canvases painted by community members, will be at the event.
The canvases will be available for purchase for $25 at the festival. All net proceeds will benefit the Gloria McLellan Art Scholarship. This past May, because of the mosaic, ACAA awarded three $1,200 scholarships to area students pursuing a degree in visual arts.
ACAA President Ceil Rossi said the motto of ACAA is “help other people appreciate art.”
She explained that the scholarship is part of the organization’s motto to give back to the community “in any way we possibly can to enhance the growth of art in the area.”
This year, there will also be a Children’s Mosaic made up of 40 canvases painted by children directed by members of the Agawam Public Library, the West Springfield Public Library and the Red Thread Art Network of West Springfield.
With the United States celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the ACAA Art Festival will begin celebrating this historic event with its own “Art Walk Through History” exhibit. In commemoration, members of the Pioneer Valley Historical Network will be attending the festival.
Historical societies from Agawam, Southwick, Westfield, Deerfield, the Hilltown Hikers, Chester, Russell, Woronoco and West Springfield will be in attendance. These historical societies will bring pictures and stories that made their towns unique.
They will also present their “History on the Go” program initiative that brings historical institutions together for a coordinated “trail” of history-themed visits that allows the public to explore local history.
In addition, Rob Keenan of Agawam and the 25th Continental Regiment will parade through the festival. David Cecchi of Agawam, Robert Madison of Agawam and Bruce Cortis of Feeding Hills, authors of local history, will be in attendance to sign their books.
Other organizations set to attend the Art Festival include the Warrior’s Art Room, a nonprofit organization that was co-founded by Steve Jones, will attend the festival. Jones, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, served in Iraq from 2001-2009.
The nonprofit provides a therapeutic environment to help veterans cope with invisible wounds of war through artistic expression. The center, located in the Keystone Building in Easthampton, provides space for the veterans and their families to display and sell their artwork.
The veterans will bring art that expresses their healing. The art will be available for purchase.
Sunshine Village young adults will celebrate their talents at the festival. Each piece of their art reflects their unique talent, passion and sense of pride. Sunshine Village is located in Chicopee, Agawam and Three Rivers.
Agawam Rocks will be hosting free rock painting for everyone. Agawam resident Jen Baginski Pronovost and her committee members will volunteer to instruct rock painting classes throughout Agawam.
The rocks display scenes of happiness, gratitude and fun. She was given a rock garden at School Street Park in Agawam and in the memory of her brother Frank, continues to add rocks with loving inspirational messages on them.
Readers looking to learn more about the festival can be contact Rossi at info@agawamarts.com or visit its website, agawamarts.com.
