ArtiCulture Westfield to return May 2 and 3 (2025)

WESTFIELD — An event that has been a community favorite and has seen only growth since its inception will return Next Friday.

Artworks Westfield is once again presenting its ArtiCulture Westfield experience on May 2 and 3 at Amelia Park.

The dynamic, diverse and interactive showcase of local and regional artists, authors, musicians and community organizations will run on Friday, May 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for all as ArtWorks Westfield looks to continue to promote community-centric art and cultural organizations promoting the rich and talented artistic diversity of Westfield and surrounding communities.

“The ArtiCulture Westfield exhibition and community experience has grown exponentially over the years, in artists participation and visitor attendance,” said ArtWorks President and original founder Bill Westerlind. “Since the debut of ArtiCulture in 2016, a groundbreaking presentation in Westfield at the time featuring art, literature and live music all under the same roof at the same time, the exhibition has moved to several larger locations in the city over the years to accommodate the growing popularity of the show.”

Another evolutional move made by ArtWorks was the 2022 collaboration between the Amelia Park Board of Trustees bringing the exhibition to the Amelia Park Arena in 2022, which has become the events permanent and annual home.

“Because we had grown over the years, we just needed more compacity and also wanted it to be indoors, so we didn’t have to worry about weather,” Westerlind explained. “From the Arena’s point of view during the month of May they take the ice out of the rink for annual repairs and maintenance. They were brainstorming about ways they could bring in some revenue during that down month and we made a connection with them and ended up being the first group to use that arena for something other than ice. The first art exhibition on the floor of the rink.”

This year’s ArtiCulture will feature 75 new, emerging, experienced and professional artists and authors from around New England to showcase their creativity and talent through their individual 10’ x 10’ display spaces on the floor of the arena, sans ice. Returning this season will be a special presentation of work by the Residents of Armbrook Village Senior Living Center in Westfield.

Featured artwork will include painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, collage, photography, printmaking, digital art, functional art, wood, glass, metal, fiber, day, ceramics and scratch board created by artists from around the New England region. All works will be available for purchase.

Also featured are local and regional published authors, writers and poets. Signed copies of their literary works will be available for purchase.

“The show has just gained in popularity with the creative economy. We have artists from all over New England coming in to show their work with us, authors the same way,” Westerlind said. “We also will have seven local nonprofits, art and culturally or otherwise, come in and set up a space to talk about what they do so we continue that community connection. It’s really turned into something of a tradition; people look forward to it because it’s so large and because the quality of the art gets better and better each year.”

Kicking off the event is an opening night reception on Friday night, May 2. Free small bites and hors d’oeuvres, prepared by the students of the Westfield Technical Academy culinary arts program, will be served by students of the National Honor Society.

Beer, wine, seltzers and soft drinks, served by Tribeca Gastro Pub & Grill, will be available for purchase. Ed Orgill and Bob Farrier will provide musical entertainment. The exhibition space will be open during the reception.

Continuing into Saturday May 3 the expansive art and literary exhibition will continue with live music being performed in the Amelia Park Arena main lobby featuring the Charlie Galvin Acoustic Trio, Jessica Foskitt, Larry Dulong, and the Barberic Acoustic Duo.

Other activities on Saturday include a community graffiti board for all guests to share and contribute their creative spirit, an art demonstration by Richard Nowak, a Scavenger hunt, the Crazy Arepas Food Truck and the ArtWorks Westfield Scholarship Raffle.

All raffle proceeds will fund the ArtWorks Westfield Arts Scholarship program which launched in January of this year.

“In the past, Artworks events have included opportunities for children and families to create their own art,” said ArtWorks Westfield board member Jackie McDowell. “We continue this tradition this year at ArtiCulture. Families and children of all ages will be invited to create art on our Graffiti Board, and to voice their interpretations and impressions of a famous painting by French artist Marc Chagall. Making art together is a wonderful way to feel a part of the Westfield community.”

Community engagement and collaboration have long been the cornerstone of ArtWorks Westfield which is reflected in the ArtiCulture Westfield experience as well. Several community organizations will have displays within the exhibition hall including Westfield On Weekends, Westfield Cultural Council, Warriors Art Room, Armbrook Village Senior Living, Westfield Food Pantry, Whip City Animal Sanctuary and the Westfield Woman’s Club.

Westerlind said it feels wonderful to have ArtWorks Westfield continue its growth and become more known in the Pioneer Valley as an up-and-coming art and cultural hotspot. He added that they have always strived to offer cultural experiences, not just a traditional vendor or craft fair.

“We build these things, so people remember, and they have a positive experience where they want to keep on coming back. I think we’ve achieved that just by seeing so many artists applying for the show year after year after year,” Westerlind said. “We try to be far greater than just these pop-up events.”

Westerlind added the three-core constituencies of ArtWorks Westfield are creators, community, and small businesses. They prioritize these constituencies by giving creators and their work a platform and accessibility, maintaining community relationships while making art more accessible to them, and giving small businesses boosts when events are hosted downtown and bring in new people to the city.

“We think about it like we’re the rising tide that lifts all boats. We want to support and enhance the creative economy, we want to support our community, and we want to support the small businesses in downtown Westfield, and that’s good for all businesses in Westfield. It’s the economic multiplier effect that kind of ripples out into the general economy and really supports everyone in the city. That’s been a driving mission since day 1 and so when we do these experiences it’s not a one-time deal. We want it to be far more significant and important to our community and the creative economy of the city.”

Westerlind reiterated the event is free to the public as they never want to add any barriers to their events, and he hopes to see another great turnout at this year’s ArtiCulture.

“This is a very unique experience you do not want to miss,” said Westerlind. “Wear your walking shoes and budget lots of time to fully explore the exhibition space, engage with the diverse mix of artists, authors and artistic styles and genres from around New England and listen to great music performed by musicians from Westfield and the Pioneer Valley. And don’t forget that Mother’s Day is a week later on May 11. Art makes a truly unique and very special gift for mom.”