Photo and Video Art Works

Presented by The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission the 8th Newtown Arts Festival was another outstanding event. The festivities began Friday evening September 20th with the opening of the Wine and Beer Garden, food trucks, and the musical duo Chris Daly, and Connor Brennan. The evening headliner band The Merchants of Rhythm featured Dave Boyle, Chris Durham, David Wheeler, Freddie Merrill, Butch Bochino,, John Zulli, with special guest Jim Allyn.

Between Friday night, Saturday and Sunday approximately 5,000 visitors attended the festival. The weather was beautiful all three days with blue skies, and temperatures in the 80's. Under the big tent attendees enjoyed dining on a wide selection of delicious snacks and meals offered by a large variety of food trucks. For those who liked to shop vendors selling everything from handmade drums to leather hats and between. Displayed on the grounds were large steel sculptures by James Travers of Newtown, and an impressive display of larger than life seashell sculptures by Chandler Davis.

For sale were T-shirts and posters displaying a heart, the 2019 festival theme. The heart artwork was created by Newtown's Paula Brinkman winner of the festival artist contest. She is known as the painter of hearts on pavement. Paula also oversaw heart paintings of 222 reusable bags courtesy of PeaceLove Art who donated the bags and painting supplies.

Entertainment Saturday:

Dan and Pete's Kids Hour

Paul Green Rock Academy

Wool Hats String Band

Jim Allyn Band

An Evening of the Arts, Saturday

New England New Music Ensemble

Poetry readings by Phillip Gross of Newtown

Town Players of Newtown actors performed a musical, the first in their 80 year history

Shivani Mendiratta, Newtown HS Senior winner Masters of Musical Whistling competition

Entertainment Sunday:

The Nighthawks, Newtown Marching Band

Julia Rhodes

Riki Steven

Good News Gospel Choir

Alpaca Gnomes

Dance Saturday:

Senior Center Line Dancers

Graceful Planet and Extreme Cheer

Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet

XFitma

Martha Graham Modern Master Class with guest artist Steve Rooks

Dance Etc.

Dance Sunday:

Bollywood

Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance

CT Dance

XFitma

Bring the Hoopla

Make and Take Tent Saturday and Sunday

Gel Press Printmaking

Library Card Notebooks

Islamic Tile Designs

Cardboard University

Worry Dolls

All Weekend: Tatting and Knitting Demonstrations, Cool Down and Color

Art Oasis Saturday and Sunday:

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN)

Art of Science Tent Saturday and Sunday

3 Easy Steps to Improve Your Photos by Rhonda & Chane Cullens

Build a Kaleidoscope

Create Iridescent Artwork

Tips for Sports Photography

Exploding Rocket Art

Color Spinners

Art of Farming Tent Sunday:

Home Beer Brewing by Mark Tambascio, owner of NewSylum

Container/Hay Bale Gardening

Permaculture

Compost and Recycling

All Things Bees

Home Beer Brewing Conclusion

Fiber Arts Tent Saturday and Sunday

Pompom Pals

Nuno Felting

Punch Needle Demo

Spin with a friend

Felt Magic

All day Saturday: Fiber Fairy, Weaving, Needle Felting, Spinning

All Day Sunday: Fiber Fairy, Crochet & Knitting, Needle Felting, Spinning

Everwonder Children's Museum Saturday and Sunday

Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, Title Sponsor

Regent Wealth, Entertainment Tent Sponsor

Newtown Savings Bank, Tent Sponsor

Leverage Marketing Group, Tent Sponsor

Newtown Parks and Recreation, Band Sponsor

The Newtown Bee, Media Sponsor

Ken and Laura , Patron

Business Sponsors:

Keno Graphics, Regent Wealth Management Group, Renewal by Anderson Window Replacement, eFriend Marketing Agency, Associated Refuse Haulers, Webster Bank, The Laurel Rock Co., MerryHill Child Care Center, Zephyr Lock, Dental Associates, ST. Rose of Lima

A big thank you to all who worked tirelessly to make this such a successful festival:

Jen Cebry, Chairman

Tracy Van Buskirk

Jim Cebry

Jen Guman

Mike Guman

Craig Harmeling

Rob Kaiser

Susan Kassirer

Suzanne Lang

Laura Lerman

Ken Lerman