Bethel Art Fair thanks

To the Editor:

The Mahoosuc Arts Council’s Art Fair held recently brought sunny skies together with the beautiful arts of 64 fine artists and artisan crafters, talented live entertainment, 13 artists who painted chairs for the 8th ARTirondack Auction and great local food.

The success of this event is evidence of a lot of time and energy of put in by volunteers and the support of donors and sponsors who recognize the value of the arts in our community.

Thank you to the Mahoosuc Arts Council Board of Directors. When “all hands on deck” are called, they jump to action. Thanks to our honor figure Jewel Clark for her permission to celebrate her artistic impact on the community and the use of her painting image for the poster art. Thanks to Irina Kahn for taking on the big task of providing qualified judging of the art show.

Thanks to our sponsors who supported artist awards and entertainment: Dream Realty, Norway Savings Bank, the Town of Bethel, the River View Resort, Doug Zinchuk & Sons Roofing, Isabella’s Café & Bakery, the Good Food Store, Smith and Town Printers, Pine Tree Waste and Creative Media.

A huge thanks goes to the artists who painted the ARTirondack chairs: Jewel Clark, Conni St. Pierre, Suzanne Hardy, Susan Mallory, Aislinn Forbes, Chris Davies, Kelly Butler, Lindsay Herman, the council’s Chair Tera Ingraham, board member Ahsley Oliver, board Treasurer Tory Jordan, Joe Finn and Gary Polonski. Thanks to Auctioneer Dan Allen and to Reggie Brown for making the chairs.

A lot of thanks are owed to the council’s Vice Chair Helen Davies who spent countless hours pulling it all together and to ARTirondack sponsors Brooks Brothers Hardware, the Jolly Drayman, Doug Zinchuck and Sons Roofing, The Bethel Inn, Philbrook Place & Elements Art Gallery and the Sudbury Inn.

Arts events like this fair are not only important in supporting the arts and making a positive quality of place impact, they are also vital to the local economy by supporting artists, stores, restaurants, inns and other businesses.

Many thanks to all who helped to make this day a success.

Aranka Matolcsy, executive director,

Mahoosuc Arts Council, Bethel