LYNN — Hundreds gathered in the sweltering heat for the first annual Summer Arts Festival at Goldfish Pond on Saturday, which doubled as a kick-off celebration for the city’s acceptance into MassDevelopment’s Creative Cities prorgram
Attendees celebrated art and creativity with activities for all ages available by the pond. More than 30 artisans gathered in the area, selling artwork and other handmade creations. Local musicians played live music, while children ran around eating ice cream.
“This festival complements Lynn’s passion for creativity, our robust arts and culture scene, as
well as showcases the immense talent we have in Lynn. Thank you to all who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event come to fruition,” Mayor Jared Nicholson said in a statement announcing the event.
“Events of this nature empower local artists and creative entrepreneurs, drive foot traffic to small businesses, and bring communities together in celebration of arts and culture,” said MassDevelopment President & CEO Dan Rivera in the statement.
Artisan Melanie Steinbrecher, owner of Roses N Dragons Designs, set up a table where all of her nature jewelry products were neatly organized across a table.
“I travel amongst nature from my garden to the woods, sometimes other states. I started two years ago during the pandemic, I needed a creative outlet. My newest work is the Terrariums,” said Steinbrecher.
Her terrariums are like snow globes — but made up of landscapes rather than snowy houses or christmas themed imagery. Some of those for sale at the festival were made-up of bird’s nests, lavender flowers, and mushrooms.
“I had a lot of ladybugs but they were all sold out. I use roses and other insects too, before this I used to work in graphic design,” said Steinbrecher.
As more residents gathered and stood in line for free ice cream, Sen. Brendon Crighton spoke to the crowd, noting how grateful he was to see the community gathered.
“A couple of years ago we couldn’t gather together as a community like this, now we can. I want to thank the Goldfish Pond Association and everyone who is here today.”
A free trolley was up and running to transport community members from Goldfish Pond to Galleries at LynnArts (GALA).
The city was accepted into the Creative Cities program, a a two-year program aimed at building a sustainable artistic and cultural infrastructure within a city as a mechanism for supporting economic growth in April — and will receive $500,000 to boost its burgeoning art scene.
