Save the Date for the Fourth Annual Art Walk in Stonington Borough

Event to close Water Street and expand with more artists, music, and food

The Stonington Borough Merchants Association has announced that its one-day outdoor art fair, the Fourth Annual Art Walk, is returning to Stonington Borough – expanded to include more artists, music, and food than previous events. The Art Walk, free to the public, will take place Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, and is expected to attract artists and visitors from across New England.

For the first time, Water Street between Pearl Street and Church Street will be closed for the day to accommodate the event. Painters, illustrators, watercolorists, sculptors, potters, and photographers will line the street with tents and select Stonington Borough merchants will host artists at their storefronts.

“This year’s Art Walk will feature our most wide-ranging lineup of artists and activities to date, and visitors will have the added benefit of strolling through the center of Water Street for the day,” said Deborah Norman, Board member of the Stonington Borough Merchants Association. “We’ve expanded the scale of this festive and family-friendly event to showcase the best of the regional art scene, right in the heart of our historic seaside village.”

Affiliated activities will take place in support of the Art Walk:

• Cove Ledge Beer, Wine and Spirits will host a group of Velvet Mill artists in its backyard garden (147 Water Street) in support of a new exhibition, “Looking Forward” during the Art Walk.
• September 9 through October 31, La Grua Center will feature an exhibit, “Celebrating Our Region’s Hispanic Artists,” highlighting artists of Expressiones and the Hispanic Alliance, open to the public for a suggested donation of $5.
• Stonington Free Library will distribute free Art Walk Grab & Go Bags for kids and adults on September 17, while supplies last.

“This will be my third year at the Art Walk,” said Sheila Barbone, Stonington-based landscape painter. “I’ll have a selection of street scenes of Stonington, Mystic, and New York City. I’m looking forward to another very good event.”

“We participated in the Stonington Borough Art Walk for the first time in 2021,” said James Heetmann of Coastal Arts Studio. “It was our all-time best sales day so far, and it was so great to meet everyone who attended. Looking forward to it this year!”

Food

In addition to the Borough’s restaurants, there will be food vendors in Wadawanuck Square (22 High Street) including Zest Fresh Pastry serving crepes, The Tiny Tavern serving juices and smoothies, and an ice cream vendor. Additional vendors are expected.

Music

New to this year’s event are pop-up acoustic performances along Water Street at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. featuring jazz, classical, and blues artists. All musical programs are coordinated by Simon Holt of Salt Marsh Opera.

For the most up-to-date Art Walk information, visit stoningtonboroughct.com/art-walk