Williamsburg’s arts and music festival “An Occasion for the Arts” is coming back to Merchants Square on Oct. 5-6.
Now in its 56th year, the festival celebrates the work of artists from around the country along with music, performances and cultural events.
More than 150 artists from over 20 states representing dozens of mediums will showcase their work at the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The list of attending artists and mediums is available at AOFTA.org .
Digital paintings showcasing Williamsburg from Bobby Oller will also be featured. A drawing will be held to win a framed work by Oller, this year’s AOFTA artist in residence.
During the festival, artist booths will line Duke of Gloucester Street between North Nassau and North Boundary streets. The parking lot in the center of Merchants Square will feature a courtyard café with beer, wine and food, a courtyard stage for live music performances and a large “Youth Art” tent.
This year’s “Youth Art” exhibition will showcase over 1,000 individual and collaborative student works in 2D and 3D mediums representing hundreds of classes from Williamsburg/James City and Upper York County public and private schools.