2023 Gloucester Arts Festival Kicks Off on June 2nd!
Start planning your Summer with the most exciting Gloucester Arts Festival yet!
The Cook Foundation proudly presents the seventh edition of the Gloucester Arts Festival with exciting arts and cultural events and experiences - including the Virginia Symphony Under the Stars concert, the Plein Air Invitational with 27 artists from around the country, and an exciting sculpture and metalworking experience with globally renown conservator Andrew Baxter and Burning Man artist Adrian Landon, and so much more! Save the month of June for the artist in everyone!
On Friday, June 2nd, the Gloucester Arts Festival kicks off with Brews, Brine, & Wine at Timberneck Farm at Machicomoco State Park. Meet Plein Air Invitational artists and buy small works (6” x 8”) right off the easel while enjoying Brews from Gloucester Brewing, sipping rosé from Saudé Creek Winery, fresh raw and steamed oysters from Cappahosic Oyster Company, fresh mignonette sauce and zero-alcohol wines from River Organics, four food trucks, and live music with RaJazz. Dance along the river with us all evening!
Plein Air Invitational events include the ever-popular Cocktails in the Garden to be held at Glen Roy and the first ever Mathews Paint Out to be held on June 6th with a reception at the Bay School Community Arts Center. Our 2022 muralist Matt Lively will give a gallery talk on June 7th and Plein Air Invitational events culminate with Paint Main and the Heart of the River Gala on June 10th and then - it’s time to get local with the incredible artists from Gloucester!
Be sure to check out the Studio Tour on June 16th and 17th at locations all around the county. Meet artists like Theresa Wells Stifel, Carolyn Dudley, Perrin Creek Custom Boots, Juli Schuszler Art, the Village Blacksmith, and many more.
And! Back by popular demand is A Night Off Broadway with three one-act performances by the Gloucester High School Dukes, Dr. Katrina Brown’s one-woman show, and The Williamsburg Players on the evening of June 17th.
On June 24th, stroll along Main Street for Village Arts Day. Come watch the Chrysler Museum’s Mobile Glass Studio create glass art from molten glass LIVE! Enjoy performances with the Ware Church Choral School Children's Choir, Bayside Youth Ballet, Gloucester Mathews Men's Chorus, The Liberty Dolls, and a family-friendly magic show. There will be a Children’s Paint Station and don’t miss contributing to the Community Mural!
Village Arts Day also hosts the Artisan Market with twenty top-quality artisans, craftsmen, and boutique businesses situated between Duval Avenue and the historic Gloucester Courthouse Circle. Join us for the Wrap Party with our friends at Arts on Main* and select your favorite paintings to take home for your collection.
Purchase event tickets, Festival Passes, and Patron Packages HERE.
We can’t wait to see you out there! Stay tuned for much, much more!
Learn more about the Gloucester Arts Festival and view a detailed calendar of events at gloucesterartsfestival.com.
*The Heart of the River Collection will be available for viewing and purchase at Arts on Main from June 10th through June 30th.