Arts in Common Brings Westborough Together

The Westborough community will gather at Bay State Green in two weeks, for the fifth straight fall.

The 5th Annual Arts in Common is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and will include a variety of arts and crafts, entertainment and food from the Westborough community. 

The event is sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council, the town of Westborough, and individual and corporate donations.

"I sent out a memo: how would you describe us?" event Chairman Lynn Watts said.

"The thing that came back from several people (was) 'It brings the whole town together to see friends, to chat, and have a day that's free for the whole family.'

"That's basically what it boils down to."

At noon, the council will celebrate the five founding sponsors: Marlborough Savings Bank, Roche Bros., Amica, EMSEAL, and Richard and Diane Irwin, Watts said.

Watts added that "we couldn't do (the event) without the schools, and without the town."

"The schools bring us tables and chairs. The sound system. Some of their groups are coming. There will be school art in this building (400 Union St., Building 101), as well as the stage. (School Superintendent) Marianne O'Connor volunteers her time with us," she said.

Westborough puts Arts in Common flyers in the tax bills, and hands them out during Westborough's Household Hazardous Waste Day, which is that day," Watts noted.

The Westborough Cultural Council, meanwhile, awarded a town record 21 grants this year for community programs. The latest grant applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15. Applications are available on the council's website.
 
Arts in Common will feature a variety of arts, entertainment and food from town.

There will be 24 performers or groups: 12 each on the indoor stage and on the Bay State Green bandstand, said Gary Wittmann, who is overseeing this part of the event.

Among the performers are the Northborough Harmonica Club, the Hundredth Town Chorus, the SkyRise Children's Theatre, Dance It Up, the Westborough High School saxophone and woodwind groups, the Westborough Community Chorus and the Natanyami School of Dance, Wittmann said.

Also, 40 to 45 artisans will participate, "vendors who make everything from jewelry to antler art, glass ware to ceramic buttons, recycled clothing to woven tapestries, photography, illustration, painted furniture (and) handmade soap," among other crafts," said Brett Poza, who is overseeing that element of the event. 

Arts in Common also will have a silent auction.

"Now that Arts in Common is so well known, people want to be part of it and have their businesses be part of it," said Betheda Shuman, who is overseeing this part of the event.

"I even had a new business call me unsolicited, and ask if they could offer something for the auction."

Meanwhile, the food vendors will be: the Rotary Grill, Ted's, Tavolino's, Sachi, and Resoi of Framingham, said Sue Abladian, who is overseeing the food with Carolyn Spring.