Art ranging from oils to watercolors, digital to acrylics, pen-and-ink to photographs and beyond will take over Central Park in Andover this weekend when the Andovers Artists Guild hosts the 36th Art in the Park.
"It's a great event and it's very well attended" said Guild board member Alix Porras of the event which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.
When Art in the Park takes over, Andover's Central Park turns into an outside art gallery, Porras said. Visitors can browse and purchase work from more than 60 artists, while also enjoying music and food.
"Serious buyers come, as well," Porras said.
In addition to offering the public a great chance to view and purchase local creations, Art in the Park is a way for the Andovers Artists Guild to raise money for scholarships for high school seniors entering college to pursue a degree in art.
"It's important for the students who get the scholarships," Porras said. "We've been doing this for several years and this event is the biggest fund-raiser."
While students love the support, visitors to Art in the Park have long been using the event as a way to bring art into their homes and their lives.
"All the artists are professional artists," said Porras, noting that the subject matter of the works covers a great range and depicts scenes from here to countries around the world.
"We hope we're going to have a lot of people this year," Porras said. "It will be a fun day. People can walk the walkways, and if it's a beautiful day, people bring their dogs. It's a very friendly event."
Each artist who attends the show also will have the opportunity to have their work recognized.
"There is a judging tent and each artist brings a painting," Porras said. "At the discretion of the judges, prizes are given to the artists that the judges think are the best in the categories of oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, mixed-media, and digital art."
"Art is for everyone," Porras said. "It's good for people. It's food for the soul."
IF YOU GO
What: Art In The Park
When: Saturday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Central Park, Andover
How: Free and open to the public.
