On June 4, Westfield on Weekends (WOW), together with Westfield Creative Arts (WCA), presented Westfield’s first “Arts on Elm” Art Walk. The six-hour event started at 10 a.m. and covered Elm Street from Westfield’s Athenaeum to Depot Square.

In addition to all the artists, crafters, musicians, businesses and Westfield’s very own chalk artist who volunteered their efforts to the success of this event, the spearheading committee of WOW and WCA volunteers (Barbara Trant, Lester Walsh, Tania Vancini and James Homan) wish to sincerely thank the following volunteers, without whom the event would never have taken place; specifically Dennis Akins, Dana Byne from the Westfield G&E, Michael Fournier, Andy Gould, Susan Kingra, Jan and Gary Larese, Lisa and Tom McMahon,  Dick and Marty Ochs, Kathy Palmer, Candy Pennington, Art Souza, Frank Vancini and Casey Rutledge.

In addition to over 30 business owners who participated along Elm Street, special thanks also goes to the Westfield Cultural Council, Westfield’s Senior Citizen Center, Greater Westfield’s Boys and Girls Club, Marie Flahive’s Art Studio, Westfield’s Community Police Resource Center, WSKB 89.5 FM Community Radio and the WSU Alumni Association for their valued contribution.

One accolade overhead in conversation between passing guests was, “This reminds me of what Westfield used to be in the 1950s, with people meeting friends and neighbors on the street and stopping to have discussions.”

Ms. Lou Sorois, proprietor of Ezra’s Mercantile (and designer of the logo button) added, “This was our best sales day ever! Can we do it again in the Fall?”

It is the sincere hope of the producers of “Arts on Elm” that its many guests, as well as it’s participants, enjoyed themselves to the extent that they will encourage others in our community to appreciate the unique, multi-faceted and, indeed, very special talents that are reflected in Westfield.

Your comments would be gratefully appreciated. Should you have the time, please visit our websites at www.westfieldonweekends.com or www.westfieldcreativearts.com and email any specific suggestions you may have, call us at 579-5967 to leave a voice message, or stop by the Rinnova Gallery/Shoppe at 105 Elm St. to speak with a volunteer.

Thank you all. “Arts on Elm” thinks Westfield is Wonderful!

James L Homan
Westfield