PARIS — Artists will gather at McLaughlin Garden and Homestead on August 5 for its fourth annual art fair and auction. This year the fair runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visitors can watch plein air painters at work throughout the gardens and in the barn, before the pieces are sold later in the day during a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction will go toward projects and maintenance at McLaughlin Gardens.
“Attendees always enjoy this fair,” said Mary DeLano, fiber artist and coordinator of the event. “They interact with the artists and can watch as they create the pieces for the auction, and have the opportunity to bid on a ‘wet’ painting to take home.”
Echinacea, bee balm and butterfly weed at McLaughlin Garden and Homestead are in bloom ahead of the annual plein air art fair, which starts at 10 a.m. on August 5. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat
This year there will be a series of interactive art activities that the public is invited to participate in, that will be displayed around the homestead for the rest of the season. No special skills are necessary to try any of the community art-styled projects.
A rock painting station will be set up where kids and adults alike can create their own vision of garden art. The rocks will be weather-sealed and displayed in garden beds.
There will also be picture frame looms for people to try their hands at weaving using both textiles and fibers. The weavings will garnish fences around the gardens for season.
The grounds behind McLaughlin Garden and Homestead barn will be the location for artists to gather during the garden’s annual art fair on August 5.
Visitors can contribute to a garland project as well. Volunteers will provide instructions on using garden leaves and other textured objects to create unique prints on fabric. The completed “flags” will be sewn into garlands and decoratively draped in the barn.
Also new this year, Smokin’ Dave’s Backyard BBQ food truck will be parked at McLaughlin Garden.
“Many locals have missed having Smokin’ Dave’s restaurant in Norway,” DeLano said. “They can buy lunch and enjoy a garden picnic while the professionals work and visitors play at community art.”
McLaughlin Garden’s featured artist for August is Virginia Valdes, who in addition to producing multi-media art in her own studio has taught grad Oxford Hills Tech School’s graphic design program for the last 19 years. Valdes’ work will hang in the garden gallery all month.
Admission to the art fair is free. Please call 207-743-8820 or email info@mclaughlingarden.org for more information.
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