Fun, interactive, energizing, lovely – those were some of the terms used to describe the Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, Aug. 25. “We enjoyed bringing smiles to the faces of each passerby and teaching some hip hop moves informally to the children and (occasionally) even the adults,” said Melanie Pagurko, principal dancer and owner of Dancemaineia, based in Waldoboro.

Dancemaineia made its first appearance at WAW in August 2021. While the dancing was fresh and lively then, this year, Pagurko and dancers Anna Stokes, Michaela LaCrosse and Willow Haplin barely paused their dynamic movements of hip hop, breakdancing, acrobatics, and instruction during the evening. “This year having the kiddos and the instruments nearby facilitated more interaction,” Pagurko explained. “It was great!” The kids were gathered around the Partners in Education tent where they had been making rattles and sun-catchers. They readily became enthusiastic dancers. Children also accompanied the dancers with rhythmic beats on a nearby box drum, a cajón, made during July’s WAW and a magnet for youthful exuberance.

Across the street, Liz Giles-Brown, from Learning on the Move in Boothbay Harbor, was showing wary adults the first steps in learning to juggle by holding bean bags in armpits. “I had a great time working with the Art Walk visitors,” said Giles-Brown. And from the look of concentration and the laughter from the newbie jugglers, the feeling was mutual.

The background sounds of drumbeats were coming from the raw log Amadinda and the cajón or box drums, handmade during the July WAW, that were positioned on the sidewalk for visitors to play. According to Wiscasset resident and cajón maker Rick Burns, “Some passersby immediately picked up the mallets and began to play the Amadinda while others needed a bit of coaxing.” The two box drums carried little signs that said, “PLAY ME.” “The intention has always been to create instruments that don’t require instruction for people to enjoy,” Burns explained. 

The audience for all this interactive play came from near and far. Giles-Brown said she talked with people from Farmington, and attendees visiting the area from California. Shopkeepers also noted the far range of home locales. Lois Kwantz, Butterstamp Workshop co-owner, met visitors from Bridgton, Waterville, Standish, and other Mainers from a distance away. The Wiscasset Art Walk, she said, gives her the opportunity to “show off the shop,” to people who don’t usually visit the area. Trifles’ Helen Robinson said she met new Wiscasset residents who were at WAW to experience the Village and meet their new neighbors. She noted the South Bristol visitors who were driving through Wiscasset, saw the tents, and stayed to enjoy the evening.

The local community was also well represented on the sidewalks with Chamber of Commerce members selling the Chamber cookbook and handing out sweet treats made from cookbook recipes. The Garden Club of Wiscasset sold out its fresh bouquets gathered from member gardens. GCW member Ann Light noted that the bouquets represented the “best of the blooms” after the heat and drought. Pollination Station returned with screech owl Meadow, a real crowd-pleaser.

The final Wiscasset Art Walk of the 2022 season will be on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information about Wiscasset Art Walk, visit www.wiscassetartwalk.org<http://www.wiscassetartwalk.org> or email wiscassetartwalk@verizon.net<mailto:wiscassetartwalk@verizon.net>. Wiscasset Art Walk is a program of Wiscasset Creative Alliance.