Annual Virtu Outdoor Art Festival
The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 12th Annual 'Virtu' Outdoor Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and 24, 2009. The event will take place in beautiful Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly, and will feature the fine selected works of 190 professional artists and crafts persons. Virtu will be held rain or shine and admission is free. Virtu will be a showcase for both the visual arts and performing arts.

Event hours are 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

'Virtu' defined
According to the Oxford Dictionary, Virtu means "a love of fine arts." The talents and imaginations of artisans will combine to create the magic that is the Virtu Art Festival.

Entertainment Schedule
Sergei Novikov, a classical pianist, will perform both days from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM by the fountain.

Yarina will perform 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days. This group performs traditional South American music from Ecuador. Their lively renditions of traditional Taca melodies, as well as original music, appeal to all ages.

The URI String Quartet will perform in the bandstand on Sunday from 12:30 - 1:30 PM.

Christian Peterson, a bagpiper, will perform Sunday from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Kim Oakes of Warwick, with special guest Jamie Harris will perform oldies by singers such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne and Manny Wells from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday.

Northeast Karate will host a demonstration on Saturday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM near the gazebo.

 
Michelet Innocent, a premier French-speaking cabaret and popular singer and recording artist of international acclaim, will alos be performing. He has performed all over the world, inspiring audiences with his passionate expression of French, popular, old-time favorites and cabaret favorites.

Creation Station
The Westerly Community Credit Union is sponsoring all activities at Virtu's Creation Station tent. This area is a major attraction for children and their families. It will provide opportunities for children to explore their creative energies through hands-on participation in numerous activities, including designing their own T-shirts. Recyclable materials will be provided along with instruction on how to make creative crafts from them. All activities in this area are free thanks to the Westerly Community Credit Union.

For the youngest of our event goers, there's free face painting and balloons and there will be 100 large pieces of sidewalk chalk so the children may participate in transforming the park walkways into beautiful designs of colors and shapes.

Free Event Parking
Several lots in town are designated as free public parking during the event weekend. They include The Washington Trust Company garage on Main Street, the Westerly Sun parking lots on Main Street and on Commerce Street, the Westerly High School lot on Park Avenue, and the lot next to the Westerly Post Office on High Street.

Food and Beverages
An extensive menu will be provided by Nutmeg Concessions, located on the esplanade next to the library.

Volunteers
Are needed for a variety of tasks including artist set-up Friday, May 22, from 12:00-4:00 PM, Saturday, May 23, from 6:30 - 9:30 AM, and breakdown Sunday, May 24, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, and to provide breaks to the artists, face painting, managing the Creation Station and more. If you are interested in helping out, please call (401) 596 - 7761.

Sponsors
Virtu is produced by The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce and brought to the public in part by the following:

Sidewalk Sales
Sidewalk sales will be held on Saturday and Sunday throughout the downtown Westerly area.