NORWAY — The Norway Arts Festival received a $2,500 grant from the Maine Community Foundation to support its 2017 event, scheduled for Saturday, July 8.

Judy West Schneider, heading into her second year as the director of the festival, said the money will help pay for advertising, setting up workshops and some volunteers.

She said it will also help the festival “return to a multi-day format and will bring new events and demonstrations.”

“The president of the Western Maine Art Group, Melanie Tornberg, wrote the grant and got us the money,” Schneider said. “Last year, we really felt like we had our hands full, but since Melanie has come on board, she’s been a huge help.”

Schneider said the grant is a “huge boost of energy” for those involved with the festival.

“Last year, we decided to make the focus more about making art, rather than just selling the paintings on the street,” she said. “We had workshops that were a little more interactive, and it went really well. The idea this year is to do more of that (by adding another day).”

She said the extra time also gives more opportunities to focus on the festival’s honorary guest.

“Every year, we have a festival honoree that we try and focus on,” Schneider said.

The identity of the guest of honor has not been made public.

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