To register, just submit the business commitment form.
For 20 years, Winchester celebrated a unique summer festival that transformed our beautiful, uniquely walkable downtown into a vibrant artist colony. The years of COVID sadly put a hold on the festival, but in 2022 we are ready to once again celebrate the arts and showcase our local artists and businesses.
During the entire month of August, artwork is displayed in many shop windows, where fluttering pink, yellow, and orange streamers announce, “Art Here; come in, there’s more to see.” Thursday evenings are enlivened by “meet the artists” receptions and other events.
How Does It Work?
Participating businesses agree to display work from one or more artists (preferably some of which will be visible in window displays). Participating artists provide art for display and coordinate with the businesses to display it (the Art in August committee will assist). The committee will provide posters, map guides to where art is displayed, and other promotional materials, including press releases and advertising.
This year, thanks to support from the Town of Winchester, there is no fee for participation in Art in August.
The Art in August committee handles the matching of businesses and artists, making sure that the art is suitable for the space and display conditions. How much artwork, where placed, and how they are displayed is also a matter for negotiation, with the last word residing with the host business.
Participating businesses will be provided with streamers and window posters to signal their participation. The posters will also have information on events such as receptions and art walks during the month. An “art map,” or tour guide, showing the names and locations of participating businesses as well as the names and media of the hosted artists, will be provided to participants and made available in the Internet.
Artworks on display in Art in August are for display only; host businesses are not expected to facilitate any sales (though interested buyers may contact the artist directly).
Interested businesses may choose to host an artists’ reception on a Thursday evening. The nature of the receptions, the staging, and the refreshments are negotiated among the artists and the business host, who has the last word on all arrangements. Artists are expected to share expenses and to promote the event.
To Register
Just submit the business commitment form.
The Organizers
Art in August is organized and funded by the Winchester Cultural Council (WCC), a town agency, with the help of volunteers and in cooperation with the Winchester Artists Network (WAN). It is one of many activities in the Winchester Cultural District, designated by the state in 2018 to enrich local character and recognize the economic potential of the arts. We are grateful to Debbie Taylor-Smith, founder of Art in August, and others in WAN, especially Bob Hesse, who have sustained it since 1999.
