If you’ve ever been to the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, you’ve probably noticed one word used over and over again: juried
So what does that actually mean?
Unlike many craft fairs, artists can’t simply reserve a booth. Months before the festival begins, a panel of artists and art professionals reviews every application, judging originality, craftsmanship, and overall presentation. Only those selected by the jury are invited to exhibit. It’s one of the reasons the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival has earned a reputation as the oldest juried outdoor art festival in the Northeast, attracting more than 250 artists from across the country each year.
What’s even more fascinating is how humble the festival’s beginnings were.
When the very first Mystic Outdoor Art Festival was held in 1957, there weren’t rows of white tents lining downtown streets. Instead, artists displayed their work in the windows of local businesses, inspired by New York City’s famous Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. The event drew about 100 artists and roughly 5,000 visitors. Today, it stretches for more than a mile through downtown Mystic, across both sides of the Bascule Bridge, and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each summer.
Sixty-eight years later, it’s amazing to think that one of New England’s premier art festivals began with little more than artwork in storefront windows and a handful of local dreamers who believed Mystic deserved something special.
Last week’s poll: Which local beach is your favorite?
Misquamicut State Beach came out on top with 50% of the vote. Ocean Beach Park finished second with 33%, followed by Rocky Neck State Park at 17%. Hammonasset Beach State Park didn’t receive any votes this time around.
