When I and a team of ArtSpace Artists and Board Members first began planning Art in the Park, we had a simple idea. We wanted to celebrate our 25th anniversary and our artists while giving something back to the Maynard community. What happened on that sunny Saturday was even better than we could have imagined.

For three hours on a beautiful afternoon on June 20, 2026, we helped fill Memorial Park with conversation, laughter and creativity. Children patiently lined up for free cotton candy, to have their faces painted and to have stuffed-animal portraits made by professional illustrators. Then they’d race off to the giant bubbles, where squeals of delight floated into the air alongside each enormous globe. Guests and families added ribbons and yarn to the community weaving fence and lingered over artwork. Artists answered questions about their various processes and spoke with visitors who were not just curious about what they had made, but why they had made it.

One memorable conversation was when two strangers discovered they both worked behind the scenes in theater, and their discussion wandered into how creativity grows from solving problems, how necessity often becomes invention, and how that invention is a kind of art.

And maybe that was the greatest success of the day: there was art in the park, but the event was so much more than that. It was conversations, connections and community. Many commented on the welcoming atmosphere and on how discussions unfolded naturally between artists, neighbors, first-time visitors and new and veteran ArtSpace members. What really brought me joy was to hear people remark that the event made Maynard feel like an especially friendly place to live.

One attendee described Art in the Park as another example of the spirit that imbues Maynard—that bringing our creative community into the park inspired curiosity, encouraged participation, and created new friendships. Another visitor observed that, with so much uncertainty in the world, people seemed genuinely grateful to simply be together.

The weather certainly cooperated, but it was the energy of the crowd that made the afternoon feel special. Everywhere you looked, people were creating, laughing, reconnecting and new conversations were beginning. And there was such a beautiful simplicity to all of it.

As organizers, we hoped Art in the Park would introduce more people to ArtSpace and help them discover the classes, gallery, studios and creative community we offer throughout the year. What we didn’t anticipate was how meaningful it would be for our own Artist Members.

Whenever we host Open Studios, many of our studio artists spend the day in their spaces greeting visitors but rarely seeing each other. Looking through photographs after Art in the Park, it became clear that artists weren’t just interacting with the public—they were connecting with each other, sharing ideas, supporting one another, laughing together and celebrating the creative community we’ve been building over the years. That may have been one of the best gifts of all.

An event like this doesn’t happen because of one person. It happens because dozens of people—volunteers, artists, instructors, committee members, sponsors, and community partners—each contribute their time, energy, creativity and enthusiasm. So many people came together to make our first Art in the Park happen. Whether you were part of the planning, demonstrated your art, greeted visitors, painted faces, helped children create, set up tents, photographed the day, or simply came to enjoy the festivities, you helped make Art in the Park what it became—a joyful success.

Ellen Emerson, who worked with me on the planning for Art in the Park, had this to say: “As an ArtSpace member, Art in the Park was such a heartwarming reminder of how much our town invests in creativity and individuality — not just financially, but emotionally. It wasn’t just kids at the face-painting table or artists displaying their work; it was genuinely all ages, side by side, making things together. That’s the part that stuck with me. Can’t wait to see what we build on for next year.”

Judging by the smiles, the conversations, and the reference to future Arts in the Park, we have a feeling this is only the beginning.

Thank you to the Maynard Cultural District and Middlesex Savings Bank for their financial support of the event. We couldn’t have done it without you.

To learn more about ArtSpace Maynard visit: artspacema.org

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