BELFAST, Maine (WABI) - The start of the summer season was met with a showcase of artistic talent in Belfast.
Every year, the fine arts event known as “Arts in the Park” is held on the last weekend of June, taking place in Belfast’s Steamboat Landing Park with the event being organized by the city’s chamber of commerce
“There are 120 vendors here. We have everything from soap to artwork to leather to ceramic, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to shop and see all the things they have,” says Dorothy Havey, Executive Director of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce.
Artists at the event hail from all corners of Maine, many of which have participated in previous years.
“Arts in the Park” also helps to connect artists with each other, all the while taking in the coastal atmosphere of the Belfast Bay.
“I do a lot on social media, but it’s so nice to be able to meet people face to face, even people who I already know from social media that want to come and see me in person, it warms my heart a lot,” says artist Larissa Davis from Fayette.
Each year, the event nominates an “Artist of the Year” with this year recognizing painter Peggy Lumpkins of Brownville, known for her oil paintings inspired by the natural beauty of Maine.
“It takes me about 6 months to do a painting, some goa little faster, some take a little longer depending on how much detail go’s in there,” says Lumpkins.
The Belfast Chamber of Commerce express their passion for showcasing artisan talent every year.
“We’re so excited to come in, we enjoy helping them set up, checking in on them throughout the day, and it is just wonderful that they have an opportunity to show their work,” says Havey.
“It’s changed a lot in the time but, it is a really beautiful show, it’s really well juried, it’s just a lot of beautiful work here,” says Lumpkins, “It is an honor to be among these people.”
