The Historic Coventry Village will be host to a new event called “Arts On Main” on Sunday, August 26. Taking place from 1-7 P.M., the day will include art workshops, art vendors, children’s activities, musical performances, food vendors, a showcase of world renowned local sculptor David Hayes, free face painting, henna tattoos, caricatures, balloon art and more. Main Street merchants and restaurants will be open, showcasing their specialties. The several antique and collectibles shops will be a particular draw.
“Arts on Main” is an expanded variation the Coventry Arts Guild’s “Arts in the Park” Day which had been held in early September the past two years. With major renovations along Main Street (Route 31) having been completed, it was decided to create a new event to bring public attention to Main Street’s new look and to find ways to continue to support the local business community. The town of Coventry, along with the Coventry Arts Guild, the Coventry Lions Club, the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce, and the recently formed Coventry Village Partners, have become a collaborative team to plan and offer this day of Arts to the community .
A special highlight of the day is the opening of a three week exhibit of the works of well-known Coventry artist, David Hayes. The show of paintings and sculpture will be presented in the renovated Mill Brook Place (formerly known as the historic Tracy Shoddy Mill). Mill Brook Place is located in the rear of the parking lot at 1267 Main Street. The show “Modern Master David Hayes” will also include a selection of outdoor photographs by Mary Hayes Siegrist, daughter of the featured artist. The gallery will also be open to the public Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from August 24 through September. See details online at: http://coventryartsguild.org/dvhayes.html.
Another feature of the day will be musical performances throughout the afternoon at the Mill Brook Gazebo and Park which is adjacent to the Mill Brook Place. An evening concert, sponsored by the Town, will take place from 5 to 7 at the Gazebo. Other musical performances will take place along Main Street on the lawn of Coventry Arts and Antiques and near the Preserved Antiques Shoppe.
The Coventry Village businesses are also a focus of the event. A “Business Passport” will be available for attendees of the event to bring to a business they visit in the Village to have “punched”. Attendees can enter their passport into a drawing , prior to the final concert at Mill Brook Park ,to receives prizes totaling over $1,000. Prizes include gift certificates from local businesses as well as concert passes to the Oakdale Theatre.
“Arts On Main” is free to attend and open to the public. Shuttle buses will be available at the GH Robertson School and the Captain Nathan Hale Middle School.
Arts Vendors are currently being sought (http://coventryartsguild.org/artfest.html). For more information on being a vendor, or to volunteer to help, contact the Coventry Arts Guild at: info@coventryartsguild.org.
Please visit the “ArtsOnMainCoventry” Facebook page for more details leading up to the event as well as the day’s schedule of event.