Montauk Pioneer - May 29, 2009

When Bill Kinney, Director of Paragon Arts, returned to Montauk on Memorial Day Weekend for his second juried Fine Arts Festival, hosted by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce on the Village Green, to present an exhibit where the highest quality of art would again be displayed, the response was staggering. At least 10,000 people poured into the village of Montauk for the opening day of the Arts Festival on May 23.

"Every community, especially now, needs an influx of money," Bill acknowledged, "and I am so delighted the artists are generating such enthusiasm."

There is no doubt that this festival delivered the beauty that thousands of people were seeking.

Last year the Fine Arts Festival earned a ranking as the #55 top fine art show in the USA, which certainly enhanced their reputation and provided much "buzz" for this highly anticipated event.

The excitement began on Friday when hundreds rolled into Montauk. Part of that first group were the artists who created a fervor on the Village Green as they arrived, unpacked their treasures, and set up their tents and booths. After grabbing a quick late dinner, they retreated to the comfortable and well-located Albatross and Lido Motels.

In no time on Saturday morning the Festival was in full swing under a bright blue, sunny sky but with ripping winds. "That's Montauk," mostly everyone commented. The wind-swept tables under the Chamber's tent which provided hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, soft drinks and Gurney's Inn Award-Winning New England Chowder, was the place to take a breather, fortify yourself with delicious grilled fare, warm up with a commemorative mug of chowder and pick up the 2009 Chamber of Commerce booklet stuffed, for the first time, with 36 hotel and restaurant coupons.

Paul Monte, Chamber President, and his delightful gal Venus were among five volunteers, Laraine and Pat Shea, Event Coordinator, all working the windy refreshment tent. Paul commented, "Laraine is the hardest working woman in Montauk," a fact we can all attest to.

Montauk Artists Association Treasurer and Fund Raiser, Anne Weisman, said, "Laraine's Café had excellent food." Wherever there is art, you will find Anne. She was delighted when Bill Kinney invited her to set up a booth at the Festival to advertise the Montauk's Association Annual Art Show on the Village Green on August 15 and 16 and the Gallery Summer Art School for children beginning on July 6 to July 10 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and every Saturday thereafter as they prepare for their very own exhibition tent. Mary Daunt and Roberta Erlagen, the children's instructors, are planning a fantastically talented exhibit.

The ninety five artists gathered on the Village Green, many of whom have their work collected internationally and displayed in the finest museums and public art collections, gave patrons the opportunity to chat and learn about their techniques and even their sources of inspiration. What an amazing array of fine paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, one of a kind articles of clothing and furniture and the most creative pieces of glass, leather and metal.

Internationally admired photo impressionist, former longtime Montauk resident, and good friend of Bill Kinneys and mine, Paul Elson, who dazzled last year's Festival, was out of the country, and missed this exhibit, but you may review his latest work at www.elson.cc.

A sun-burned, smiling, exuberant, photographer Bill Kinney marveled at the crowds, and humbly accepted the accolades for his beautiful, nationally known, East End scenes. His vision of planning, organizing and executing a show as fine as this has given art lovers of Montauk and beyond a memorable, exciting, cultural expo.