Art lovers perused more than a dozen demonstrations, exhibits and pop-up galleries while music lovers braved sizzling temperatures to enjoy a Beatles tribute band Saturday, September 6, as the 2014 Newtown Arts Festival sprang to life with overlapping events sponsored by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP).

While Art In Residence Galley operators Rosemary and Rob Rau welcomed visitors to their pop-up gallery at 100 Church Hill Road (Suite 104, the former SHACK location), others put their final touches on temporary exhibitions at a number of nearby locations.

Meanwhile, about 100 families and fans gathered alongside the Pootatuck River to hear Ticket To Ride play two sets of popular tunes spanning the history of the Beatles. The concert was the penultimate of the inaugural Choose Love Concert Series. A performance on September 13 by The Bruce Coviello Group will conclude this season’s offerings.

The arts festival continues this weekend with Friday’s Rooster Ball, an outdoor two-day event at Fairfield Hills Saturday and Sunday,  and then more events through  September 21.

Artwalk Artists and Locations

According to a brochure published by SHOP, the following artists and locations are being featured on the inaugural Sandy Hook Village Artwalk, which continues to October 6:

*Newtown sculpture Ethan Currier has stone sculpture set up in at least 12 locations throughout Sandy Hook Village;

*Art In Residence (AIR) Fine Art Pop-Up Gallery, 100 Church Hill Road (Suite 104; open most days, appointments requested, call 203-426-2226): works by Joanne Conant, Anne Marie Foran, Sergio Franco, Aline LaPointe, Katya Lebrija, Adele Moros, Paula Renee, Glen River, Laura Wilk and Glen River. New artists and weekend special events are planned by Curators Rosemary and Robert Rau, to be introduced all month.

*Betts Square Office Building, 107 Church Hill Road: oil painting by Melissa Lopata in lobby (use side door/office entrance);

*Colbert Photography Studio, 13 Glen Road: fine art photography by Stephane Colbert (by appointment only, call 203-426-0448);

*The Country Mill, 5 Glen Road: watercolors with colored pencil by DeAnn Prosia;

*Cover Town Sports Bar & Grill, 100 Church Hill Road, oil and oil pastel painting by Kevin Conklin (located in side entry hallway);

*figs wood-fired bistro, 105 Church Hill Road: a watercolor by Grace Scharr McEnaney;

*Foundry Kitchen & Tavern, 1 Glen Road: outdoor and indoor sculpture with reclaimed metal by Brian Walters (located near side entry, off patio);

*Fun Kuts & Fun Kids Consignments, 111 Church Hill Road: oil painting by Lee Brownell, watercolor painting series by Kaye Bishop, and colored pencil illustration, digital collages, digital illustration and original acrylic and collage works by Magge Gagliardi;

*Labels & Tags, 10 Glen Road: watercolor with colored pencil by DeAnn Prosia;

*Mine Art! Gallery, 117 Church Hill Road (Suite D): photograhy by Heather Braxton, Kathleen Gerdon Archer and Mike Marques; sculpture by Jack Curtis, sculpture by Michael Dassle, mixed media paintings by Jessica Gaddis, prints by Deborah Geurtze, drawing by Carrie Green, sculpture by Allison Hornak, paintings by James Jeffrey, Anthony Palocci Jr and Annie Sailer; drawings by Norma Minkowitz, and collage by Carol Padberg;

*Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road: quilt art by Stefanie Lagana, within entryway;

*PJ's Laundromat, 110 Church Hill Road: laundromat themed photography and paintings, copies of original artwork by Dani Brandimarte, Bob Horowitz, Tim Richmond, Lisa Russo, Snorri Sturluson, Sarah-Ji, and Donald Yatomi;

*Sabrina Style, 4 Washington Avenue (artwork in display windows): sculpture by Joe Gitterman, watercolor by Grace Scharr McEnaner, and acrylic on linen by Susan McLaughlin;

*Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, 102 Church Hill Road: graphite drawing and collage by Virginia Zimmerman;

*Sandy Hook Hair Co., 102 Church Hill Road: acrylics on linen by Susan McLaughlin;  

*Smoky Topaz, 100 Church Hill Road (behind Cover Two, viewings by appointment only, call 917-767-5283): pop-up art shop with pottery art, handbuilt stoneware and porcelain by Hayne Bayless, sculpture and resin sculpture by Joe Gitterman, and sculpture and wall art using reclaimed metal by Brian Walters;

*The Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Road: oil painting by Patricio Saenz (in main entrance foyer);

*Village Perk Cafe, 3 Glen Road: indoor sculpture using reclaimed metal by Brian Walters (in bay window); and

*Wishing Well Gift Shop, 107 Church Hill Road: oil paintings by Anne Marie Foran.