WAA Summer Solstice Festival

To Include Il Madonnari And Atelier Sale

WASHINGTON — Washington Art Association (WAA) will host a weekend-long summer solstice festival June 19-21.

The festivities will begin on Friday, June 19, with a 6 pm preview party for the art association’s annual Atelier Sale, and what is believed to be Connecticut’s first Il Madonnaro festival. Attendees will have an advance opportunity to view and buy original paintings, drawings, sketches, and other works gleaned from the studios of 50 local artists, who are making their work available at bargain-basement prices to benefit WAA. All pieces will be priced under $250.

Il Madonnari, a form of street painting, originated during the Italian Renaissance, when itinerant artists traveled throughout Italy, timing their arrival in a city or village to coincide with a festival or holiday celebration. They used soft chalk pastels to create art on the cobblestones of streets and piazzas.

Called Madonnari because of their tendency to paint pictures of the Madonna, these painters would receive compensation from their admirers who tossed food and the occasional coin onto their work. This form of performance art has historically been identified as painting as opposed to chalk drawing due to the work’s intricacy and resemblance to complex master paintings of the day.

In addition to offering guests first crack at some great bargains, the preview party will feature live Caribbean music, a mojito bar, and food prepared by chefs from The Mayflower Inn, Winvian, and The Woodward House. Tickets are $35 per person.

For Washington’s inaugural Il Madonnari event, WAA has invited numerous artists, who will paint the sidewalks in Washington Depot.  Aspiring Il Madonnari, including children, are invited to try out their own skills with a stretch of Washington pavement, with colored chalk provided by WAA.

On Saturday, June 20, the festivities continue from 10 am to 4 pm with the public opening of the Atelier Sale. The sale will also be open on Sunday, June 21, from noon to 3 pm. The Il Madonnari works will be on display until Mother Nature washes them away.

Washington Art Association’s gallery is within Bryan Memorial Plaza, Route 47 in Washington Depot. For additional information call 860-868-2878 or visit WashingtonArtAssociation.org.