Vermont artists sought for Waterbury Arts Fest 2023 commemorative poster
March 19, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout
The sun sets over Waterbury Arts Fest last year. File photo by Gordon Miller
A sweet deal awaits the Vermont artist whose work gets picked for the first Waterbury Arts Fest commemorative poster to promote this summer’s annual arts festival in downtown Waterbury.
The largest fundraiser for the nonprofit economic development organization Revitalizing Waterbury, Arts Fest this year will be held Friday-Saturday, July 14-15.
A new twist this year will be for the event to use promotional posters with the artist whose work is featured getting a booth at the festival. Posters will be sold with the chance for the artist to sign them for collectors.
A key requirement is that artists submitting designs must be from Vermont to be eligible to enter. Artwork can represent any medium (2D and 3D), as long as the image submitted meets the printing criteria.
The chosen artwork will be the featured image on the poster, which will include the name of the artist and artwork and will be printed on high-quality paper. The chosen artist and artwork will receive additional promotion along with the poster, including a free vendor booth and premium location at the Arts Fest on July 15, a separate tent for signing posters, and they will be featured on the Waterbury Arts Fest website.
The two-day event involves a Friday Night Block Party with live music, a beer garden, food trucks and dancing. The Saturday Arts Market assembles more than 100 art exhibitors, live entertainment acts, children’s activities and an extensive food truck court.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has listed Waterbury Arts Fest among its Top 10 Summer Events in 2020 and 2022.
Revitalizing Waterbury Executive Director Karen Nevin said the hope is for the poster contest to become an annual practice. “People will want to collect the posters, which will be suitable for framing,” she said.
Funds raised through poster sales will benefit Revitalizing Waterbury, which works to support new and established businesses, promote Waterbury as a tourist destination, and develop a vibrant community for residents and visitors alike.
Deadline for poster art submissions is Friday, April 14. More information and instructions on how to apply can be found at waterburyartsfest.com/about. More about Revitalizing Waterbury is online at revitalizingwaterbury.org.