With banners flying and bright colors, the work of Newtown resident Kristine Humber has been chosen as the signature art of the 2023 Newtown Arts Festival, set for September 22-24 at Fairfield Hills. The weekend event will again open with an outdoor concert Friday night.

The festival is the major annual event presented by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

Born in Canada, Humber attended college there, where she studied graphic design. After marrying her husband Tom, she went on to London, England, where she trained with “wonderfully talented special effects artists at Steven Spielberg’s animation company, Amblimation.”

She has worked with Disney as a special effects artist at its Orlando studio including The Lion King and five other major animations.

With Netflix’s Angry Birds: Summer Madness, Humber was back into animating special effects via Toon Boom software.

After studying surface pattern design, she has concentrated on creating works that will be applied to textiles and other surfaces. Her patterns all begin as original ink, pencil, watercolor or gouache paintings.

Humber was one of the four artists who created the Doors of Fairfield Hills in 2020, and visitors to the Arts Festival will remember her at the Terrific Totes tent.

Festival Plans Forming

Now in its 11th year, Newtown Arts Festival — which is sponsored by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission — presents a weekend of visual and performing arts. The outdoor event features the festival’s “Freeway,” where attendees can experience some visual arts as part of their entry fee under the guidance of professional artists.

In addition, the Beer And Wine Garden will be returning as well as the Food Trucks and the shade tents that enable guests to enjoy the festival no matter the weather. There will be music both days and the 2022 festival sold out spaces for artisans.

Artisans and vendors who would like to participate in this year’s festival are invited to submit an application via newtownartsfestival.com.

Former Festival Chairman Terry Sagedy is returning this year as creative director.

“Newtown’s long-standing cultural traditions have been showcased by the Arts Festival for over a decade now,” he said. “This year, we’ll see the return of the outdoor event at Fairfield Hills as well as the revival of some favorite events like Risk-a-Verse and the Three Wordsmiths leading up to the weekend’s festivities.”

Newtown Cultural Arts Commission Chair Laura E. Lerman said the arts festival does more than deliver myriad arts to as many people as possible “in as an affordable way as possible.”

One of three coordinators of this year’s festival, Lerman states the event is “also meant as a community event.”

NCAC Vice Chairman Andrea Spenser and Festival Grounds Chairman Jen Cebry are also coordinating this year’s festival.