4th Annual ArtsFest Artisan Market Returns Saturday, October 22nd

The 4th Annual ArtsFest Artisan Market will return to the grounds of Thomas Paine Cottage (20 Sicard, at North Avenue) on Saturday, October 22nd from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission and parking are free. The outdoor Artisan Market is part of ArtsFest 2022 – an exciting weekend-long celebration of the arts -- taking place in New Rochelle and Pelham from October 20th through 23rd . A complete calendar is available at www.newrochellearts.org.

“We want to encourage people to shop local, support your community, and fill your life with art!,” says Melissa Panszi Riebe, co-chair with Selena Evans of the Artisan Market. The Artisan Market committee received a record number of applicants this year, selecting 40 makers offering a variety of unique items, from original art and photography, jewelry, candles, knitware, pottery and more. Riebe says the curated selection of makers from all around the local New York area will “bring something for everyone.”

“We are so excited to be able to bring the artisan market back to the historic Thomas Paine grounds,” adds Riebe. “Not only will you be able to support local makers and generate money back into our community, you will be able to have a fun time at an event for all ages.”

In addition to makers there will be live music by NYC-based singer songwriter Ben Clark and local music maker Chris Brown, food trucks from Matrix to Go and Mikey Dubbs Frozen Custard, delicious cookies from Draper Baker, a Girl Scouts of New Rochelle-sponsored Apple Cider table and family activities at the adjacent Thomas Paine Cottage. There will also be a crafts table for kids table hosted by 22KATKRAFTS which will be charging $10 for a mini canvas or small Halloween skull to paint.

The Artisan Market rain date is Sunday, October 23rd.

Organized by the non-profit New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) ArtsFest spotlights the diversity of arts and artists in our community, with open studios, live music and dance, film screenings, pop-up art exhibits, a classic car show focused on design, a spoken word event with the acclaimed READ650, and interactive activities for all ages. This year ArtsFest will feature 40 participating venues, representing the work of hundreds of artists. In addition to the Artisan Market highlights will include the ArtsFest Music Festival at New Ro Parc and ArtsFest Dance Festival at New Rochelle High School’s Whitney Young Auditorium as well as open artists’ studios -- including world renowned 3-D artist Charles Fazzino’s Museum Editions studio, where visitors can dabble in interactive arts projects –plus a visit from ArtsWestchester’s ArtsMobile, a Classic Car Show, a spoken word event curated by READ650, a free guided trolley tour of New Rochelle’s exciting street art, the 20 #NRNY Murals, and more. For a complete calendar of events visit www.newrochellearts.org.

An official ArtsFest calendar will be mailed to city residents and will be available at venues as well as online at NRCA’s website www.newrochellearts.org. ArtsFest sponsors include ArtsWestchester, Gwendolen Appleyard Trust, New Rochelle IDA, Charles Fazzino, Mill Creek Residential, Alvin & Friends Restaurant, Cappelli, L+M Wilder Balter, New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, RXR, The Standard, Town House and in-kind sponsors AJ’s Burgers and New Rochelle Public Library.

ArtsFest is organized by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts. The mission of NRCA (founded in 1975) is to encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts, and over the years NRCA has sponsored art exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, spoken word events, concert series and public art. Find out more about NRCA at www.newrochellearts.org.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive George Latimer.