Arts & Entertainment

Melrose Arts Festival Fast Approaching

The annual event has been a spring staple for nearly two decades.

MELROSE, MA — More than 40 artists will gather at Memorial Hall this weekend for the chance to proudly display and sell their artwork at a staple annual event.

The Melrose Arts Festival is returning for its 19th edition on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. The free festival, organized by Melrose Arts, is meant to symbolize the true beginning of the spring season for the city. In addition to traditional paintings, art forms such as pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and mixed media are also expected to be present for admiration and acquisition.

The atmosphere will be created by local musicians Santon, The Peanut Gallery, Jenny Montrose, and Charlotte Pearce who will be performing live throughout the two days. The La Cabaña food truck will be parked outside selling refreshments. The business was founded by former Mexico Lindo Chef Cesare Marroquin three years ago and specializes in both Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine. Mama Jean, another Melrose-based business, will also be selling its signature dishes and baked goods indoors.

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Directly downstairs, Follow Your Art will be hosting a Junior Artisan Market at 12 p.m. on both days of the festival giving the city’s youth their own chance to show off their artistic skills.

The Melrose Arts Festival was founded in 2006 by Melrose Arts, which was known as the Melrose Arts and Cultural Association at the time. The nonprofit organization has approximately 50 members, most of which will be featured in the upcoming event.

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We unite artists, arts organizations, patrons and other enthusiasts of culture to encourage, present and sustain artistic and cultural activities in Melrose for the benefit of its citizens,” Melrose Arts said in a statement. “Melrose Arts will seek to help identify the needs of the artistic and cultural community and help resolve those needs.”

The festival will be open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The full list of featured artists can be found online.

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