~Society ~

2023 Small Stones Festival of the Arts post Art Call & Exhibit Dates

Art Call is now open for submission of work to the Small Stones Festival of the Arts, a regional juried fine art and photography exhibition. Fine art artists and photographers are encouraged to join the area’s finest painters, photographers, water colorists and other twodimensional artists in the sixth year of the festival.

The festival’s opening ceremony and reception to announce the winning artists is slated for Friday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA. The Blackstone Valley Art Association and The Worcester County Camera Club have collaborated to showcase the art exhibition for extended hours from Oct. 20 – 29 in the community room of the library. Additional weekday and Sunday hours have been added.

Photography and all forms of twodimensional artwork are welcomed, with a maximum of four entries per artist. The Art Call will remain open until midnight of the day, 500 entries are received. All artwork meeting acceptance criteria will be displayed online. Visit https://smallstonesfestival.org/ to submit artwork.

A distinguished panel of six jurors will select 144 works to appear in the exhibit and cash prize winners in fine arts and photography categories.

Awards include first, second and third cash prize winners and juror’s choice (six awards). A popular choice award for each category will be voted by viewers. Cash awards are $500 for first; $250 for second; and $100 for third place. The hardbound exhibition catalog will feature the juried artwork and will be sold online.

The Festival co-chairs Carolyn Kinloch-Winkler of the Blackstone Valley Art Club and Sue Cardosi of the Worcester County Camera Club are working with a committee of eleven to provide a free fine art and photography festival for the greater central Massachusetts community.

The mission of the Small Stones Festival of the Arts is to elevate the practice and appreciation of fine art and photography in the Blackstone Valley and beyond. Grafton Arts Inc., a 501 (3) organization is the financial sponsor of the Festival.

The festival organizers appreciate the donors of last year’s festival including the Cultural Councils of the towns of

Grafton and Millbury; Homefield Credit Union, The Town House Tavern, One Grafton Common; and Yesod Foundation, Inc. Additional financial support from community businesses have included Gaudette Insurance, JCSI Corporate Staffing, Jubilee Chocolate, Pepperoni Express, Roney Funeral, Sydney Padgett of Mathieu newton Sotheby’s, Theroux Dental Associates and Touchstone Crystal. Sponsorships are available to help support the 2023 Small Stones Festival of the Arts. Please contact Sean Padgett at sean@smallstonesfestival.com For more information, visit https://smallstonesfestival.org.

Class of 1978 plans Reunion

The northbridge High School Class of '78 is coming together to celebrate their 45th class reunion on September 30, 2023 at the Uxbridge Progressive Club. If you graduated in 1978, please check out our Facebook page "Class of 78" for more details.

If you know someone from the class who may not see this notice or have Facebook, we ask that you kindly share the information with them.