Festival Celebrates the Arts

Artists will showcase  their talents this weekend at the sixth annual Grafton fine arts and music festival to be held March 25, 26 and 27 at the Municipal Center.

The festival features art exhibitions by local artists, music and dance performances and workshops for adults and children.

The schedule is:

Friday, March 25 : 7  to 9 p.m., artists awards reception and music concert. 

Saturday March 26: 11 a.m., youth art reception, noon  to 6 p.m., workshops, and music  and dance performances.

Sunday, March 27: Noon to 4 p.m., workshops and music and dance performances. 

Admission for each day  is $5 for adults and $3 for children with a family maximum fee of $15. Children four and younger and participating artists are admitted free.

About 1,000 people attended last year's festival, said Fay Morrison, chairman of the festival.

She said the festival is especially important in an era when music and art programs are often reduced or eliminated in school budgets.

"There's not enough time to have art every day,'' she said. "This gives them an outlet they don't [otherwise] have. For children to put their art in a frame and to see it on a wall ... it's a big deal. It gives them a little recognition.''

In addition to the chance to view artwork from artists of all ages, visitors can experience a wide range of performances, including jazz groups and singers, Celtic music, Native American dance, Southeast Asian dance and acoustic performers.

"Some people come to see  the art, some people come to see the music, some do both,'' she said.

This year, the Grafton Land Trust is sponsoring a nature photography competition as part of the festival.

Donna Blanchard of Apple Tree Arts and Berklee School of Music professor Mitch Seidman are in charge of the music. 

The festival is sponsored by the Grafton Cultural Council.

For more information, visit www.graftonartsfestival.org.