WESTFIELD — The call is out for artists and authors to participate in this fall’s ARToberFEST in downtown Westfield all day on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 4. Space, which is limited to 75, is filling up fast.
“Spaces are going fast. This is a juried show — just applying doesn’t mean acceptance. Last year, we had 110 applications,” said Westfield ArtWorks President Bill Westerlind.
“Given that we only have 75 spaces, we’re looking for a mix of different mediums. We’re always looking to ramp up the quality and for new and different artists; that’s what raises the quality of the show and the work year after year,” he added.
Westerlind said the call for artists and authors has been out for just over two weeks, and there have been 56 responses so far who will now be juried. He said although the call is technically open until Sept. 13, if they have 110 applications by the end of August, they may close early. “We have before,” he said.
Artists come from throughout New England — up and down the Pioneer Valley, central Mass, Boston, Vermont and New York. “There is a great mix of artists from different parts of New England. We tend to have a lot of new artists every year, about 50 percent so far are new to ArtWorks of Westfield,” he said.
Authors have also been a part of ARToberFEST from the start, making up about 10% of the show. “Since the beginning of ArtWorks, we have always included art and literature together — they always go hand in hand,” Westerlind said.
The majority of authors that participate in the festival are more local to the Pioneer Valley, central Mass. and Connecticut. Participating for the first time this year is the Straw Dogs Writers Guild out of Northampton, who will be doing an open mic during the festival.
Westerlind said there will also be music during the day-long festival which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and organizers are in the process of finalizing the lineup for the Elm St. Plaza stage. Also being considered are buskers and jugglers. The actual lineup will be out in September prior to the festival.
Right now, the focus is on securing the artists and authors.
Preferred mediums include fine art painting, drawing, mixed media, collage, photography, sculpture and printmaking. Also accepted are artisan quality fine glass, wood, clay and artisan quality jewelry, fiber art, metalwork and ceramics.
All work must be original and created solely by the applicant. Work created by use of AI or a pattern, or by following a tutorial will not be accepted. Work featuring copyrighted characters is not considered original. The application images submitted must reflect the work the artist intends to display. For example, if the application images depict paintings, the majority of the display should be paintings.
Accepted literature includes original works in all literary genres. A writing sample is required.
Display space is up to 10- by 10-foot outdoors at the Elm Street Plaza or on the sidewalks of downtown Westfield. Actual display space sizes will vary depending on the specific location along Elm Street. Exhibitors bring their own tents, tables, display panels, easels, chairs and the like. Artists are encouraged to bring the display supplies and platforms necessary to showcase their work. Electric utilities are not available. Free parking is available downtown.
There is no fee to apply. The show fee is a $35 annual ArtWorks Westfield supporting membership, due upon acceptance. Current members juried into the exhibition participate for free. Annual membership not only supports the expansion of art and cultural experiences and opportunities in Westfield, it also allows you to participate in future juried exhibitions during your annual membership period for free upon acceptance. Membership also provides free admission to other activities like critiques, workshops, supply swaps and the like. ArtWorks Westfield does not charge sales commissions.
Cash prizes will be awarded at this exhibition, and Westerlind said 99% of the artists sell their work. To answer the call for artists and authors apply online at artworkswestfield.com. The application submission deadline is Sept. 13, and notice of acceptance will be released no later than Sept. 17.
Westerlind said the event continues to grow from its beginnings in 2017 as a small art and literature show based inside the Old Town Hall with about a dozen exhibitors into the outdoor urban art festival it is today, featuring 75 artists and authors on the sidewalks of Elm Street from the Athenaeum and circling the Elm Street Plaza.
He said ARToberFEST 2024 happened to take place on a gorgeous autumn day, and drew 1,000 people coming into downtown Westfield who bought art, listened to the music, shopped at the stores and ate at the restaurants.
“We do almost everything in downtown Westfield, it’s such a benefit to the community,” Westerlind said, adding that now that Westfield has been designated as a Downtown Cultural Center, the outdoor festival has even more importance.
Being outdoors, however, it is weather dependent. If there’s a good chance of rain on Sept. 27, they will call it off and reschedule for the rain date on Oct. 4. “Certainly weather is a game changer from the artists’ perspective,” Westerlind said.
