Virtu Art Fest 2025 Recap and More

This last weekend was the Virtu Art Fest in Westerly, RI. It’s my second show for the year and it’s the second year I’ve done this show.

I have to start off by saying the location is beautiful. Wilcox park is a beautiful park with enormous trees throughout. I was lucky enough last year to be under one of those trees and it kept things a little cooler than the folks out in direct sunlight. This year I ended up in another part of the park and was covered even more by some enormous trees. Keeping cool wasn’t an issue this year though as a storm moving through just before the show kept the temperatures down below where most would have preferred. I spent most of the weekend huddled up in a coat – and it wasn’t just warm weather me that bundled up! We did miss out on any rain and even the wind was rather calm for the most part.

As for the new location this year I was worried at first as I was moved from my previous spot which was in a fairly busy location. On opening my worries were a little different… I found that I was in an area that was heavier focused on fellow painters that had some fantastic work. I have to admit that I felt like I didn’t belong in the class of artists I found myself in. It was also in an area that was a big entrance into the fest and foot traffic wasn’t an issue. It’s a busy show and well laid out so I don’t think anyone has that issue.

As for my neighbors I was definitely in good company. It wasn’t that I wasn’t last year, but at that time I was one of two painters among other types of artists such as jewlery, wood working, and such. For this year on one side of me was Julie Brayton and Jenny Thompson on the other. Both are from the Westerly area and both have some spectacular art work for sale. They were both extremely friendly and great companions to have along side me during the weekend. I look forward to seeing them again at some of the other shows we will all be at later in the year!

They both have more experience than I do and are working as artists full time (something I dream about, but is currently out of reach for me.) Not only did we have some great conversations, but I also got great advise from both. I still have a lot to learn so it’s always good to be surrounded by people with strong knowledge and skills. It did leave me feeling strongly of imposter syndrome this weekend being surrounded by such skills!

As for the show itself, sales were a little slow considering how many people attended. By the end of the weekend I had sold five of my desktop series paintings and three prints. I realized that I’m still set up a little better for the more crafty type shows and still have some work to do for the more artistic shows like this one. I hope to have a selection of prints in a matted format to give them the more professional look by the time the next show comes up in June.

Next up is the Putnam Fine Arts & Crafts Festival on June 21 and 22nd in Putnam, CT!

Also a quick note that I have a number of paintings on display and available for sale at the Jewett City Savings Bank in Putnam. It’s my first solo show and will be there through the month of June!