Arts in August to Cure Those Summertime Blues

The dog days of summer have arrived. School's just around the corner; summer plans have come and gone; and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Life in Winchester can get pretty boring as summer slowly turns to fall. But thanks to the Downtown Business Association and the Winchester Artist's Network, residents will be treated to a town-wide, month-long art display in businesses all around Winchester during the 12th annual Arts in August.

With 27 businesses lending their windows to more than 40 local artists, downtown Winchester will be transformed into a living art gallery, culminating in the Arts in the Park festival on Saturday, Aug. 21 on the town commons where there will be displays and activities for all ages.

"When we originally started it, the downtown was absolutely dead in August," said Debbie Taylor-Smith, who has helped put on the show for the past 12 years.  "It has become more important each and every year since then."

"It's basically a sidewalk art gallery," added Taylor-Smith. "If anyone is strolling around at any point in time they can see the art in different windows."

Along with the galleries, there will be a reception every Thursday at various businesses where artists and his or her work will be on display. This coming Thursday, Pairings Wine & Food on 600 Main St. will be showing photography by Tom Magno and Mark Flannery and pottery by Debe Holland.

Half a mile down the street, photography and paintings by Kristen Fitzgerald and work by Sue Clark will be on display at Coldwell Banker on Church Street. 

"Winchester's Art in August is, to my knowledge, a one of a kind event in that we celebrate for a month," said Taylor-Smith. "Most other towns do it for a weekend or maybe a week."

An artist herself (jewelry and hand painted scarves), Taylor-Smith doesn't have any of her own work on display, but boasts about the quality and quantity that will be showing for the next month.

"We have a number of fabulous student-artists," said Taylor-Smith. "All of the artists are a part of the Winchester Artists Network

Since its inception 12 years ago, Taylor-Smith has seen Arts in August grow into a much-anticipated event every year. But as it's grown in both size and popularity, the work that has to go into putting on the show has become year-round.

"It's a coordination of the artists and the locations and specifically choosing a medium that will fit the location," said Taylor-Smith. "Depending on the window, someone can only have a small piece and some people can devote their entire window."

Despite the extra work, Taylor-Smith said she is happy to see people looking forward to August.

"It's grown substantially," said Taylor-Smith. "Every year it grows more and people look forward to it. They can't wait for August to come. It gets people out and about in downtown Winchester and secondly it gives art a presence in Winchester.

Other local businesses that will be hosting "Meet the Artist" receptions will be Le Mani Day Spa, Shanahan Real Estate and Winchester Wine and Spirits on August 12 and Mad About Shoe on August 19.