Published in the September 30, 2016 edition.

EDITORIAL

Wakefield’s arts scene is as vibrant as we can ever remember it, and in October artists from every corner of the town and beyond will have their great work on display.

Today is the official beginning of Art Week Wakefield, which runs through Sunday, Oct. 9. There is work on display all over town.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, The Item hosts an annual artists’ showcase called the Artisan Affair and Marketplace at our building at 26 Albion St. The 2016 “Affair” is shaping up to be the best one yet.

For the next week, check out the work at these locations:

• Caryn’s Sports Bar at 397 Main St. will show photographs by Erik Eskedal and Jon O’Brien.

• Create Artisan Studios at 39 Albion St. will display art by Brian Cummings and Chris Denkers. The opening reception will be Saturday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Frameshack, 339 Salem St.

• KidCasso, 101 Albion St.

• Wakefield Computer Hospital, 86 Albion St., will display artwork by Jon O’Brien.

• Wakefield Uncommon Antiques and Collectibles, 306 Main St., will have artwork from Richard Gardner Hartshorne and others.

• ZuZus Cafe and Catering, 316 Main St.

A complete list of venues can be found at AlbionCulturalExchange.org website.

Art Week Wakefield runs during the same time frame as Art Week Boston (https://www.artweekboston.org) which has become a major Art Event serving Boston and most communities in eastern Massachusetts.

“We are building a year round Art Schedule with the Albion Cultural Exchange and Art Week Wakefield seemed to be a natural fit,” said Chris J. Carino, chairman of the Albion Cultural Exchange Committee.

During Art Week Wakefield, display locations will be featured on the Albion Cultural Exchange website and Facebook page. Members of the public are encouraged to visit locations around town to see the Art Work in person and to patronize the local businesses hosting the art.

Also during Art Week Wakefield, there will be an Artist Registration and Reception event at the Albion Cultural Exchange. The event will take place during the October edition of First Thursday Downtown on Oct. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Local visual artists are encouraged to come to the event and meet other artists and register with the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield. Registration is free and each artist will be able to provide a bio, website link and up to 5 photos to be included in their online profile in the local artist directory.

“We are excited to get local visual artists registered with the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield at the Albion Cultural Exchange,” said Kathy Frey, who is a member of both groups. “It is really exciting to see the explosive growth of the Wakefield Art Scene” she continued.

Also at the event, there will be art on display from current ACW members in a variety of different mediums, including painting, photography, fiber art and mixed media; there will be light snacks and refreshments.

Members of the public and local artists are encourage to attend and mix and mingle at the Albion Cultural Exchange on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy art all over town during Art Week Wakefield.

And on Oct. 15, come on by our Albion Street building to check out great photography, jewelry, clay rattles, fresh popovers, woodworks, mixed media/fiber collage, original and print watercolors, oil pastels, pottery, handmade soaps and much more.