Oil painter John Pompeo sat in front of his display of landscape and still life artwork, observing the adults and children who passed by his exhibit at this year’s Armonk Outdoor Art Show.
“I want to put peace out into the world,” said the Philadelphia-area artist, who has attended the show for three years. “I like that my paintings make people happy.”
Pompeo is one of 185 juried artists who attended the 57th annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show, displaying their work for thousands of visitors on Sept. 29 and 30. Sponsored by the Friends of North Castle Public Library, this year’s show not only featured artists spanning from sculptors to painters, but also a wide range of food vendors, a family activities tent, live music, and hands-on art for kids and adults. As 22 rows of tents lined an open field on Business Park Drive, visitors came to purchase or peruse photographs, paintings, mixed media, printmaking, jewelry and sculptures during the two-day event.
Greenwich, CT residents Kate and Jordan Shaner said they were happy to attend this year’s art show for the first time, joining thousands of attendees to view a wide range of art exhibitions. The couple came to this year’s show after Israeli artist and Armonk Outdoor Art Show exhibitor Yoram Gal invited them to browse his paintings.
“We fell in love with his work in Jaffa, Israel,” said Kate Shaner on the second day of the show. “It’s great to see so many people in the community here to look at art.”
Not only did visitors enjoy this year’s event, but artists also said they appreciated the show’s atmosphere and the diverse selection artwork. First-year exhibitor Bruce Franklin said this event is his favorite show he has attended as a photographer, displaying photos from his excursions in Africa and the Bahamas.
“I’m really impressed by the quality of the work that is here,”
said the photographer, who mostly captures images of wild animals and plants. “I love the patrons and the artists, too. The best part is the people–art savvy people.”
And it’s not so easy to become an exhibitor at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, which Franklin’s comments reflect. Debbie Heidecorn, Armonk resident and one of several co-chairs for the event, said an independent group of jurors who are members of the art community chooses from more than 600 applications as part of the show’s year-long planning process. Only artists who receive awards at the show are guaranteed a spot the following year.
Although the process to exhibit artwork at the art show is competitive, both artists and visitors found themselves at a friendly community event, filled with hundreds of volunteers who look to improve the show each year.
“Every year we learn,” said Heidecorn. “It’s a learning experience because we only do it once a year. We are so happy that people are so easily adaptable to changes.”
The Armonk Chamber’s winning formula for a fun-filled day: Jamie’s Run for Love, Byram HillsPreschool Association Children’s Carnival, and an old fashioned Cider and Donut festival. Based in Wampus Brook Park, the annual festival is a perfect setting for all of the activities. Making fresh cider and donuts in the park brings back parent’s memories and has already begun creating new memories for generations. “But after the band, the food, the run, the most fun still goes to those brave kids and parents who will throw away their inhibitions and diets and go full throttle into the pie eating contest,” said the Chamber’s Schwartz. For more information, visit 
