Daily Hampshire Gazette 9 June 2003

Arts fest offers window on Easthampton

JERREY ROBERTS Pam Lohr of Southampton and her daughter Kendra look at tile and wood home furnishings by Levy-LaRocque Sunday during the seventh annual Open Studios at One Cottage Street in Easthampton. Artist David :Levy of Easthampton is in the background.

The 15-year Arts Easthampton festival branched out this spring with the "Windows Project," featuring artists' works in storefronts along Main, Union and Cottage streets, and inside the Eastworks building.

"We've transformed downtown Easthampton into this wonderful gallery," said Easthampton Cultural Council co-chairwoman Twyla Reardon, whose sculptures are on view at the Apollo Grill.

Besides the project, the festival also showcased the wares of more than 50 artists and creative businesses Saturday and Sunday.

At Eastworks, city residents Frank L. and Ruth B. Fleury of Loudville Road said they were astounded by the quality of art on display.

"The artwork is enlightening," said Frank Fleury, as he examined Jeff Margolin's sculptures at New City Art. "This is not your basic stuff. It's elegant, and it proves that there's a lot of talent in this city."

Revival Hardware & Pottery store owner Scott T. Krawczyk said the festival is helping Easthampton evolve into a destination place.

"The city's now known for its artisan base," said Krawczyk, as he sketched landscapes inside his home decor shop at 72 Cottage St. "It's beginning to benefit both artists and businesses."

One Cottage Street bustled with people, who wandered curiously into open art studios. Yohah Ralph's colorful, expressionist paintings and prints attracted a steady crowd.

"Arts Easthampton gives us exposure, more than anything else," said Ralph.

Then, referring to former mill factory workers, Ralph added, "It's also nice to have the people who used to work in these buildings see a new genesis of this space."

Valley Women's Martial Arts was also a crowd-pleaser, as director and head instructor Janet Aalfs gave demonstrations of self-defense techniques. "It wasn't a huge turnout this time around, but we had a steady number of people," said Aalfs. "I'm hoping to get more activities going for the next festival."

Back at Eastworks, some artists felt the festival had been more successful in December.

"The holiday event was a lot busier," admitted Sarah Ahearn of Northampton, who meshes bits of poetry with her whimsical paintings. "Still, it's nice to hear people say that they've seen my work in other places."

Metal Magic artist Lennie Kaumzka agreed. "This is more publicity than anything else," said Kaumzka, who fashions lanterns with intricate designs out of tin cans. "It's not as lucrative as other shows, but people around town get to know what I'm doing."

Even so, visitors thought highly of the festival. "This is what makes living in Easthampton so exciting," said Easthampton resident David A. Modugno of High Street.

"It's representative of a small community with a lot of artistic talent," added Modugno's friend, Peter Marvin, of Amherst.

Nicole Sequino can be reached at nsequino@gazettenet.com