BELFAST — It was picture perfect weather for both days of the 23rd annual Arts in the Park, which took place at Steamboat Landing July 7-8.

With hardly a cloud in the sky, more than 120 artists brought their wares to the festival, which offers a wide array of goods to the hundreds who frequent the free event each year.

This year’s event was run jointly by Kathleen Coleman, office manager at the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce, and Norm Poirier, of the Belfast Parks and Recreation Department.

Coleman, who marked her third time cohosting the event, said 2018, “is probably the best event we’ve ever had.”

She said event organizers couldn’t have asked for better weather over the weekend, which helped draw the crowd. She also said the Chamber of Commerce has worked to ensure this year’s event was well publicized over multiple media formats, another factor in the sizeable attendance.

From stitching together bags from retired sails to creating lamps from antiques, every booth had something different to offer.

“There have been 124 artists, [working with] all kinds of mediums...their work is amazing,” Coleman said of the incredible menagerie of artwork on hand.

There were also a handful of food trucks at the event that were popular with visitors and vendors alike.

Painter Sandy Dolan, who was chosen as 2018’s Artist of the Year, said she was surprised when she received an email in the middle of winter from the Belfast Chamber of Commerce telling her she was in consideration for the award. After sending some images of her work for further consideration, Dolan she waited a little while before getting the news she had been selected.

“[It was] very exciting news,” she said.

Dolan paints natural scenes inspired by her surroundings and said she spends time traveling the area looking for inspiration. When she finds a view that piques her interest, she said she pulls over to start the painting right then and there.

“Hopefully there are parking places,” she said with a laugh.

While she often brings her paintings back to her studio to adjust them slightly, Dolan said, “most of my paintings are started on location. I like to travel up and down the coast, and inland some too, and find my subject matter there.”

Dolan said she began painting as a young person, but that eventually “life got in the way.” She returned to painting around 10 years ago after taking classes to “ease back into it.”

See additional photos here and here. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com