Thanks from Moore Park Art

To the Editor:

The Moore Park Art Show on Sunday, July 29 brought together some of the finest artists, crafters, dancers and musicians in Maine. The arts were beautiful, diverse and of great quality.

The entertainment by the fabulous dogs and handlers from Kanine Kare, the Nevaeh Dance Company, Rijah Newell, Just Us Two, guitarist/singer/songwriter Terry Swett and “Troubadour for Hire” Brad Hooper was exciting and engaging. The fine fare provided by Foothills Grille of Bethel and Konehead Ice Cream of Oxford was professional and delicious.

An event like this is a result of the help and support of many individuals, groups and business. Events like this are not only important in supporting the arts and making a positive quality of place impact, they are also vital to the local economy by supporting artists and driving visitors to stores, restaurants, inns and other businesses.

Many thanks are deserved by all who helped.

Thanks to the committed and hard-working volunteers: Becky Burke, Dana Chandler, Kim and Jeff Sutton, Linda and Richard Record, the Paris Parks & Recreation Board, Steve Galvin and Shelby Black. For helping things run smoothly, thanks to the Town of Paris staff, Lake Region Awards, Bennett Septic and Swett Signs for all their prompt service and support and Mitch Morissette for taking care of the grass in Moore Park.

Great thanks go to the local businesses which see the community and economic benefit in supporting the arts as award, entertainment, cash and in-kind sponsors:

Purchase Awards: Chandler Funeral Homes and Oxford Federal Credit Union.

Entertainment and artist award sponsors: Western Maine Health/Stephens Memorial Hospital, Norway-Paris Soft Serve, Bolster's Decorating, Crossway Family Dental, Phin Enterprises, Paris Farmer’s Union, Paris Cape Realty, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Smiling Moose Tavern, Shiny Baubles by Mammy.

In-Kind: Mahoosuc Arts Council, McDonalds Restaurant, McLaughlin Garden, Park Street Press, Norway-Paris Cable TV, Shane Wilson Design Services, Passionate Creations, Swett Signs, Creative Media and the Western Maine Cultural Alliance.

Thank you to fine arts judges Jo Baker and Carly Sauro for taking on the big task of choosing winners in fine art, photography and artisan crafts.

Thanks to Anne Sheehan at the Advertiser Democrat and Ursula Albert at the Sun-Journal for spreading the word on this fabulous show. Thanks to Fred Garbo for sharing his wonderful and eye-catching inflatable sculptures.

Finally, hooray for the Town of Paris and the Parks & Recreation Department for having the vision to bring this wonderful, capacity-building, economy-supporting event to our community!

Heads up! This event is evolving into a community event with an arts and crafts show. Anyone who has ideas for planning this growing event, or has a business or organization which would like to participate, please contact us anytime!

See you next summer in Western Maine’s Most Beautiful Community Venue.

Aranka Matolcsy

Moore Park Art Show Director

Paris Parks & Recreation