Williamsburg had more than its fair share of interesting art shown at its Occasion for the Arts, which took place Saturday and Sunday.
Photography, painting, and other forms of art, were on display, some from people who came from as far as Georgia or Connecticut.
In college, Allison Schroder became interested in metalworking which has turned a passion for her.
Having attended her tenth Occasion for the Arts, she mentioned that while art is the focal point, she also values the sense of camaraderie she gets from seeing all the families moseying around.
“Art brings people together,” she said.
Saturday marked the the third time Bob Mandala has had an exhibit at the Williamsburg Occasion for the Arts.
He’s taken an unorthodox route into the arts – he started after 40 years with Bank of America – but he understands the importance an event like that can have one the community.
“Art is important at every level,” he said. “Not only in the education of young people, but also to expand people’s worlds A lot of people here are seeing art for the first time.”
Mandala began making a terrible wire tree after seeing one that inspired him in Portland, Maine.
Ethan Lillemoe, on the other hand, has spent his life making art his livelihood.
“You get to actually meet the artists themselves,” he said. “A lot of people have the stereotype about an artist thinking they are better than everyone else. It’s a completely different feel here, and you can walk right in.”
Lillemoe is based in Georgia but travels to events around the country showing his work. At the festival he showed both metal works and
He mentioned that many people don’t understand that artists can make a living purely from their art, and mentioned that each time a child comes to a place where art is shown and appreciated, it could create a budding artist.
“Little kids – you see it. Their eyes light right up,” he said. “You never know how many kids might seeing off on an art path after seeing something like this. A lot of them may not get a chance to see art because of their circumstances.”
