The 59th iteration of the Pembroke Arts Festival will take place in and around the Pembroke Community Center Aug. 7 through 9. The festival gets underway Friday, Aug. 7 from 6-9 p.m. with two awards ceremonies – adult and young artists – and an opportunity for a first look at the juried adult show as well as the work of the young artists exhibiting in this year’s festival.
The free event continues throughout the weekend and features an array of activities designed to appeal to festival goers of all ages. The centerpiece of the weekend is the Juried Art and Photography Show, which showcases more than 140 pieces of artwork created by artists from Pembroke and towns across the South Shore. Works created in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache — most of which are available for purchase – will be displayed inside the air-conditioned Community Center alongside black-and-white and color photographs, most of which are also for sale. In addition, a Young Artists Gallery features work from area youth ages pre-k through high school.
Among other highlights of the weekend are an Artist-in-Action space, where talented South Shore artists will be creating new works in real time. A popular component of the festival is the annual craft show–held outside on the green and inside the building–featuring a wide range of hand-crafted items. The bandstand will host an array of family-friendly performances – both musical and dance – throughout the two days of the festival.
A free family-friendly concert will take place Saturday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 on the town green. This year’s featured band is Blind Ambition.
For children, a free children’s craft table offers young attendees a hands-on opportunity to create art, and there will be face-painting and a balloon artist. On Saturday, rescue organization Buddy & Friends will be on hand with some of the adoptable dogs in their care and Touch-a-Truck will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New this year, is a community art project, lead by Kingston-based artist Jessie Fries, in which everyone is invited to create two small pieces of art – one to take home and one to become part of a community display. Be sure to swing by on Saturday between noon and 3 p.m. to participate.
For the second year, the Pembroke Arts Festival is partnering with Pembroke Community Services to present “Pembroke Community Day,” which features various local service departments, including Recreation, Senior Services, Veterans, Police, Fire, the Boys & Girls Club, with many businesses in the center of town also participating. The festival is made possible by a small but mighty team of volunteers, including both youth and adults, who contribute their time and talents. If you’d be interested in joining this crew (no artistic talent necessary!) speak to any member of the Pembroke Arts Festival committee (they’ll be the ones wearing the sapphire-colored t-shirts!) throughout the weekend to learn more.
Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., concert at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a $5.00 charge to attend the opening reception/juried art awards on Friday evening. More information is available at pembrokeartsfestival.org.
