Art on the Town

Gazebo Park, Big Bend Blvd & S Old Orchard Ave, Webster Groves, MO | Get Directions »
FREE

Art lovers of all ages are invited to Webster Groves on Saturday, October 13 for a day of creative celebration at the second annual ART ON THE TOWN event. The event takes place in both the Old Orchard and Old Webster business districts. More than 100 artists and performers will showcase their talent and inspire everyone to create, buy and enjoy art.

Webster Groves has historically nurtured intriguing public art, world-class live theater, and sophisticated galleries. Hundreds of artists, performers and musicians enjoy living and working amid Webster’s tree-lined streets, century-old homes and gardens. ART ON THE TOWN brings this artistic energy to Webster’s sidewalks, unique shops and public spaces—more than 50 venues in all.

“We hope our residents and visitors will discover something new on October 13,” says Janice Seele, president of the Webster Community Arts Foundation which organized the event. “They might find a special work of art, a one-of-a-kind store, or even a hidden talent for creating art on their own.”

Exhibits and demonstrations will feature painting, ceramics, glass, photography, jewelry, sculpture, drawing, quilts, prints, up-cycled crafts, Chinese calligraphy, henna, hats, flowers, wine and chocolate. Children will enjoy face painting, a duct tape hat workshop, a post-it note mural, a musical petting zoo and pumpkin painting. Concerts, performances and Irish dancing are scheduled throughout the day.

This year five special programs make an art-filled day even more enjoyable:

1. Pre-Event Tour of Webster Groves High School’s new Arts & Sciences Building (10-11 am): Start the day early and see the beautiful new spaces for orchestra, band, choir and visual arts. Enjoy student performances.

2. Tour of Webster University’s public art (2-4 pm): See Webster’s collections in the library, the East Academic Building and around the campus, plus new exhibits in the May and Hunt galleries. For a preview, go to www.webster.edu/publicart.

3. Behind the Scenes with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis (12:30-2 pm): Take a virtual peek at what it takes to get an opera to the stage from composition to performance. From its founding in 1976, Opera Theatre has staged 45 world and American premieres, among scores of other performances, and garnered praise from music critics around the globe. The presentation is scheduled at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church.

4. The Root Diggers (4 pm): Enjoy an old time string band featuring mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, guitar and banjo. This lively concert by Sheldon Music on the Go caps the day’s activities and is presented by PNC Arts Alive in Gazebo Park.

5. Dine on the Town (All Day): Stop for lunch and stay for dinner at one of Webster’s many participating restaurants. Dine on the Town raises funds for the Webster Community Arts Foundation youth programs.