NORWICH – The Board of Directors met Wednesday, June 10th, and made the tough decision to not have the 26th annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, due to the issues brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new date is September 11 and 12, 2021.

Board of Directors released a statement saying, "For 25 years, Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival has brought arts and music to the parks of downtown Norwich. This year, out of a concern for our artists and performers, our volunteers, our beloved fans, and the entire community, we have decided that we cannot be together in person. We continue to believe in the power of art to change the world. We will be together again in 2021! For 2020, please participate in our Virtual Festival on September 12 and 13. See Colorscape.org for details."

“We are sad, of course, not to be together in person this year,” said Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival Board President Melissa deCordova, “I know that Colorscape, just like the country, is stronger than COVID. We will be back next year, better than ever.”

In place of the in-person event, there will be a Colorscape Chenango Virtual Festival, presented on YouTube.

“Throughout the weekend of September 12 & 13, we will post a variety of content on our YouTube channel, mimicking the actual Festival. Although only some of that content will be live-streamed, the virtual festival will feel ‘live’ in that content will continue to grow all weekend long,” says, Celeste Friend, Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival Executive Director.

Recognized as one of the top 100 classic and contemporary craft shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, Colorscape Chenango has been celebrating premier artists in downtown Norwich since 1995.

This free, two-day festival in September features about 125 creators displaying and selling their paintings, sculptures, fabric art, fine crafts, photography, and more. Colorscape also offers nationally renowned musical performers, poetry and literary arts, food, and interactive art activities for all ages. The 2020 Colorscape will be held online this year, September 12-13. Further details can be found on www.colorscape.org and on social media.