Description

The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the
27th Annual 'Virtu' Outdoor Arts Festival

The event will take place in beautiful Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly, and will feature the fine selected works of professional artists and crafts persons. Virtu will be held rain or shine and admission is free. 

10 AM - 5 PM - Saturday
10 AM - 4PM - Sunday




OCEAN COMMUNITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE                                               For Immediate Release     May 10, 2023
 

27th ANNUAL VIRTU OUTDOOR ART FESTIVAL

 

Westerly, RI – Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce will host the 27th Annual 'Virtu' Outdoor Art Festival on Memorial Day weekend May 27 and 28, 2023.  The event will take place in Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly, and will feature the fine selected works of 130 professional artists and crafts persons.  Virtu will be held rain or shine and admission is free.  It is a showcase for both the visual arts and performing arts.  Event hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

 
'Virtu' defined - According to the Oxford Dictionary, Virtu means "a love of fine arts."  The talents and imaginations of artisans will combine to create the magic that is the Virtu Art Festival.
 
YARN BOMBING-  Christina Adair will knit a colorful hand created adornment for the trunk of a tree as part of this unique display.  It will be children’s themed.  Linda Lavallee Mossberg will have a large tree trunk yarn bombed, near the entrance by Granite Theatre.  Rose Zymlinski will yarn bomb light poles as well, including a tribute to people with Alzheimer’s disease by draping a garland of crochet daisies in the colors for caregivers, supporters and patients.
 
Entertainment Schedule - 
                                                            Saturday – May 27^th                                   TIME    LOCATION
RI Phil @ the United                                                                          10:30 – 11:30 am            Gazebo
 
Westminster Youth String Ensemble                                                   12:00 – 12:45 pm            Gazebo
 
Howling Hound Dogs                                                                          2:45-1:30         grass near gazebo               
   

Kiefer’s Martial Arts                                                                               1:30 – 2:30 pm  grass near gazebo                                                                                                                                                                  
Greg Sherrod                                                                                       2:30 – 4:30 Pm        Gazebo
   


Sunday – May 28th
Sarah LuAnn Thompson                                                               11:00 – 1:00 pm             Gazebo

Marc Philip                                                                                   1:30 – 3:30 pm               Gazebo

Saturday and Sunday
Yarina                             Water Fountain
 
Creation Station –First Financial Advisory Services/Geraldine Cunningham & Associates is sponsoring all the Free activities at Virtu's Creation Station tent.  This area is a major attraction for children and their families.  It will provide opportunities for children to explore their creative energies through hands-on participation in numerous activities.  There's free face painting and will be pieces of sidewalk chalk so the children may participate in transforming the park walkways into beautiful designs of colors and shapes.
 
Food and Beverages - An extensive menu will be provided by Nutmeg Concessions, located on the esplanade next to the library.
 
Volunteers - Are needed for artist set-up Friday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 6:30 - 9:30 a.m., and breakdown Sunday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., and to provide breaks to the artists, face painting and manage the Creation Station.  
 
Sponsors - Virtu is brought to the public in part by the following:
Platinum Palette Sponsors: Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
 
Creation Station Sponsor: First Financial Advisory Services/Geraldine B. Cunningham Associates,
 
Golden Palette Sponsors: Mystic Aquarium, Olympia Tea Room, Professional Planning Group, The United Theatre, Washington Trust Yale New Haven Westerly Hospital, Renewal by Andersen, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Town of Westerly
 
Silver Palette Sponsors: Densmore Oil Company, SNS Electric, Sun Media Group, WBLQ 1230AM., Winnapaug Golf Club
 
Friend of the Arts: Buckler Johnston Funeral Home, Greenbridge Landscaping, The Villa Bed & Breakfast
 
For more information, contact Lisa Konicki at 401-596-7761 or visit oceanchamber.org