Arts in the Park is a series of public arts events conceived by local and visiting artists held at Downing Park. 5 unique artistic offerings, will take place from May-June 2022, and include: live musical performances from local musicians: Sean Condron, Mario Carreccio, 3rd TBD, an open mic night hosted by local social justice org Melanin Unchained, a participatory/community poetry installation conceived by local poet and land steward Anusha Mehar, traveling sculpture by visiting artist/musician Amery Kessler, and site-specific dance performance by visiting performers Nattie+Hollis. The proposed will occur in different sites throughout Downing Park, bringing these sites to life through the lens of the artist event creators; highlighting how the park is used/interacted with, viewed & perceived.
ALL events are free and accessible to the community.

This project is born from the immense artistic talent of Newburgh, the need for more creative and communal experiences that safely bring us together, and the city-sponsored free fitness program offered in Downing Park 2020-2021. Arts in the Park aims to expand the park's public offerings, help reframe the park's image and show it as a well-suited venue for public art, bring unique and playful experiences to park-goers and the community that inspire and grow appreciation for the park's historical beauty, more recent revitalization, and stewardship of the land by one and all. Arts in the Park is a platform to engage artists in creating inspirational, self-driven programming with the support of Chapman Steamer Arts, a neighboring arts organization and partner to the park and limited funding from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, regrant program of NYSCA and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

All events will take place at Downing Park, who's board members are providing support for artistic programmatic goals, accessibility to all participants, and the ability to safely gather when necessary.