Framed butterflies by John Mann of Insecta Etcetera. Mann will be one of the 95-plus artists at this year's Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival in East and West Parks on September 10 and 11. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – In 1995, the first Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival was held with 41 artists. This year, the 28th annual festival, over 95 juried artists will be welcomed into downtown Norwich on September 10 and 11. There will be new artists this year to check out and show veterans.

“One of the more interesting new exhibitors this year is John Mann, Insecta Etcetera, of Cortland. John will display his beautiful framed butterflies, moths, and insects, all either farm-raised or common in their native habitat,” shared Peggy L. Finnegan, Visual Arts Coordinator.

Jennifer Barnaby of Binghamton also offers unusual work with her “Second Chance Glass.” After 33 years as a makeup artist in New York City, Jennifer moved to the Southern Tier and discovered the beauty of glass mosaic tiles. She treats them like stained glass, foiling and soldering them to create jewelry, bowls, bugs, and flowers.

Another new artist this September will be Kelly Chapman and The Gilded Door. Kelly is a purveyor of one-of-a-kind hand-crafted wreaths and door decor for all occasions.

“This is something new at Colorscape that everyone will enjoy,” said Finnegan.

One of several new jewelers in the parks this year is Heather Dilello-Stearns of Deposit. Heather is a metalsmith who makes silver jewelry. Her work is simple and modern, yet earthy and organic, and heavily influenced by flora. She loves to work with natural stones.

Nancy Miller Jewelry Designs of Saratoga Springs will have a booth at Colorscape for the 26th year in 2022. Other familiar faces who have been coming to the parks now for 20 years or more include Lis and Michael Barsuglia-Madsen, Tom Hussey, Don Meixner, Kristen Neidlinger, D. Michael Price, Ede Walker, and Robert and Elizabeth Yates.

“They are among the artists who made the big move in 2011 when the festival flipped following the redesign of the parks and the construction of a permanent main stage in East Park. That was also the year when Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee devastated the region in the weeks before the festival and almost turned Norwich into an island," said Celeste Friend, executive director of Colorscape.

Joseph R. Wild, Wild Ways Photography, traveled the furthest of all Colorscape artists. He drove 215 miles or more from Grand Island, NY. Joseph has been coming to Colorscape for ten years now and is always to be found near the gazebo in East Park.

There are 14 categories at the upcoming Festival: Ceramics, drawing, fiber, wearable arts, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture, watercolor paintings, wood, and others.

“You can search by artist name and category on our website, Colorscape.org,” said Friend.

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

This free, two-day festival in September features over 90 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 2022 Colorscape will be held rain or shine, September 10 and 11 in East and West Parks in Norwich.

The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

-Information provided by Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival