North Castle Library Fundraiser Kicks Off 60th Annual Armonk Art Show

ARMONK, NY — A storied outdoor arts festival is marking a milestone, but first take a moment to appreciate the reason for the Hudson Valley tradition and celebrate "The Art of Storytelling."

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show. The art show is ranked number five in the nation among fine art shows by Sunshine Artist magazine. This year, the nonprofit, annual show marks six decades of raising funds for the Friends of the North Castle Public Library.

Visitors to the art show this weekend will be able to enjoy art, a large selection of food and drink and free children's activities, while helping to support the library's educational and entertainment programs.

The Armonk Outdoor Art Show's jury selects around 140 artists each year from about 600 applicants. The chosen exhibitors are marked as innovators in their fields, representing 12 different mediums, including oils/acrylics/watercolors, mixed media, printmaking/drawing/pastels, sculpture, photography/digital art, wearable art and fine crafts.

This year's specially commissioned exhibit "The Art of Storytelling" features work that utilizes a book as the artist's "canvas." The exhibition will celebrate the connection between the art show and the North Castle Public Library, highlighting the library's vital role within the community. The artworks will then be auctioned to benefit the Friends of the North Castle Public Library.

On Thursday, September 29, from 6-9 p.m., a reception/fundraiser at the Armonk branch of the North Castle Public Library will be held to promote this weekend’s art show. The pre-exhibition and fundraiser held at the library, will highlight the "The Art of Storytelling" exhibit at the show. The library is located at 19 Whippoorwill Road East Dr. in Armonk. More information about the fundraiser and tickets can be found here.

The featured piece, Continuum of Spirit, is by local Armonk artist, Liz Green who worked with Northwell Health Westchester neurosurgeons Dr. David Gordon and Dr. Danilo Silva to create a 3D piece to represent a recent surgical case of a young patient with a brain hemorrhage. The doctors used microscopic techniques and leading-edge clinical capabilities available at Northern Westchester Hospital. They also use musical inspiration (Springsteen, The Who and Iron Maiden) to prep for/and perform surgeries. The result is a piece of original art Green created using sheet music of the songs played during that surgery. Shaped into 3D butterflies, the sheet music represents hope and life and how a life was saved.

The Armonk Outdoor Art Show will take place on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., rain or shine. The event will take place at Community Park, located at 205 Business Park Drive in Armonk. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $13 for seniors and free for kids 18 and under. More information about the exhibiting artists and purchasing tickets can be found here. You can also follow @ArmonkOutdoorArtShow.