rentham’s Arts on the Common, an annual celebration of the arts, returns to the town common on Saturday, June 1. Sponsored by the Wrentham Cultural Council, the arts festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. 

The outdoor festival boasts hand-crafted goods from dozens of artisans, and is designed to appeal to all age groups, with demonstrations, performances, and interactive activities. The free, family-friendly festival will also include performances by local dance troupes, live music, and a “yarn bomb” installation.  

Part-time and full-time artists are encouraged to use Arts on the Common as a venue for displaying and selling their work. Some artists also take the opportunity to demonstrate their creative processes. 

The Wrentham Cultural Council is a local branch of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, responsible for reviewing and awarding grants for cultural programs in the town. The Council is committed to enhancing the vitality of the Wrentham community through engagement in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. The Arts on the Common event is just one way the Wrentham Cultural Council achieves this. Arts on the Common is a celebration that unites buyers, admirers, and artists in a more personal manner on Wrentham’s beautiful town common.

The Cultural Council tries to select a wide variety of artists to participate, with considerations like price point and originality factoring into the council’s selections. 

“We are fortunate to welcome talented artists and performers that come from all over New England. There will be paintings, fine arts and other handmade crafts. All pieces have to show some artistry and be handmade,” said Evelyn Zeptf, chair of the cultural council. 

The following performances will take place at the festival:

• 10 to 10:30 a.m.: Sri Kuchipudi Natyala- traditional Indian Dancers

• 10:30 to 11 a.m.: Showcase Dancers

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Ryan Loud steel band

• 1 to 2 p.m.: TBD

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Nina Ott Band- world class jazz band

• 3 to 4 p.m.: Mike and Louie

In addition to the festivities on June 1, an exhibit entitled “Living in a Material World: The Fabric of Wrentham Lives” will open at Wrentham’s historic Fiske Museum, 55 East St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Curated by Wrentham’s Cultural Council and Historical Commission, this exhibit investigates how people living in Wrentham obtained materials and created fabrics and clothing. It highlights fashion trends and what people in Wrentham wore, and how and where they wore it. From uniforms to wedding gowns to accessories, this collection tells the story of daily life in Wrentham. 

In addition to annual events like Arts on the Common and quarterly poetry readings, the Cultural Council also awards grants addressing cultural needs specific to the community, following state guidelines. The state provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which then allocates funds to each community. For more information about the Wrentham Cultural Council, email [email protected].