Due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Rochelle Council on the Arts has made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s ArtsFest, originally scheduled for October 16th through 18th.
The annual festival celebrates the performing and visual arts in New Rochelle and Pelham; last year’s ArtsFest featured performances, art exhibits, film screenings and workshops at 43 venues, and included an Arts in Oktoberfest Gallery Hop, ArtsFest Comedy Night, an ArtsFest Dance Festival, an Acoustic musical Festival, a spoken word event curated by READ650, a Classic Car Show, an Artisan’s Market and free rides on the Culture Trolley.
NRCA President Theresa Kump Leghorn said the decision was made after surveying past ArtsFest participants and members of the NRCA Board. “ArtsFest is a huge undertaking, and with so much uncertainty around infection rates we agreed it made sense to wait until next year and come back strong.”
She added that it’s been a disappointing year for the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, which also had to cancel its Summer Concert Series at Hudson Park. But the NRCA has continued to support the arts during the COVID pandemic, pivoting to make its Rotunda Gallery art exhibits “virtual” and publishing its e-newsletter with an emphasis on providing information for artists on grants and job opportunities.
The NRCA will continue sponsoring virtual exhibits and performances throughout 2020, with plans to resume the Summer Concert Series and ArtsFest next year. For more information about NRCA visit the website at www.newrochellearts.org.