Beloved Artist Showcase Undergoes a Safe Space Makeover

Published September 15th 2020

SONO ARTS FESTIVAL 2020
Local Real Estate Collective Sponsors Storefront Locations for Treasured Event
October 8-11 and October 15-18, 2020
 
September 15, 2020, Norwalk, CT: For nearly half a decade, historic South Norwalk has been home to one of the most prestigious and original art festivals in the region, the SoNo Arts Festival. This year, amid the current COVID pandemic, most (if not all) art festivals and outdoor events have been canceled to adhere to safe space mandates. With safety at the forefront, the SoNo Arts Festival is excited to introduce their first-ever Gallery Walk along Washington Street Historic District in South Norwalk.
 
The safe space event will take place in available retail properties along Washington Street, part of AGW SoNo Partners' newly acquired portfolio. Over 50 juried artists will house, display, and sell their works inside these unique retail and restaurant spaces. The event is being supported by OnWashington, AGW’s marketing arm for Washington Street Historic District. 
 
“This opportunity means the world to the artist community who have largely been prevented from making their living due to the current situation we are all challenged with, “ says Sue Brown Gordon, the Director of the SoNo Arts Festival. “We are thrilled to be able to provide both the artists and the community with a stringent safe space event while celebrating and enjoying creative expression in many forms. The use of these Washington Street retail outlets allows us to carefully manage safety protocols, as all restaurants and retailers are doing currently.”
 
Over 50 artists will be featured in gallery spaces at 68, 132 A+C, 136, 119, 123, 127, and 135 Washington Street and include such talent as David E. Gordon of Gordon Fine Arts, photographic and mixed media artist Nancy C Woodward, Glass Blower Jason Curtis, mixed media artist Tracy Hambley, jewelry designer/maker Lydia Tucci, multimedia artist Mari Gyorgyey, Mixed Media Collage Artist Matt Gabel Art, and much more!
 
“No doubt, these are challenging times. COVID-19 has disrupted virtually every aspect of everyday life. With these disruptions, comes ingenuity and resiliency,” says Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, “I appreciate the hard work and effort of Adam Greenbaum, AGW SoNo Partners, the SoNo Arts Festival, and local businesses for putting their heads together to develop a safe and fun way to hold this event. This will be a wonderful event for artists to showcase their talents and I hope the public will join us!”
 
“When AGW first acquired the Washington Street portfolio, the tenants we spoke with all informed us of this amazing art festival and how it drew attention, people, energy, and culture to the street,“ says AGW SoNo Partners Co-founder Adam Greenbaum, “Internally, we talk about the SoNo Arts Festival as the type of event we want to see happening more frequently than just once a year to support our tenants and ultimately the broader portfolio and the community. It’s our pleasure to support the SoNo Arts Festival directly this year by providing it with a home.”
 
The SoNo Arts Festival will take place during long weekends from October 8-11 and October 15-18, 2020. Hours: Thursday/Friday 4-9 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 9 PM and Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM.
 
Art enthusiasts can stroll Washington Street’s festival locations while enjoying live music, dining, and shopping in the many spots that create the undeniable energy experienced in South Norwalk.
 
www.sonoartsfest.org
@onwashingtonst  @bestofnorwalk