Wiscasset Village is poised to inhabit the new and grand sidewalks that are slowly taking form from the months-long construction project in the heart of the Village. A cluster of civic groups and local creatives will be taking part in the Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, Aug. 29, 5-8 p.m., to test the public spaces that will become active community places in the years ahead!

Several familiar participants in the Wiscasset Art Walk return: the Garden Club of Wiscasset will offer freshly cut bouquets from members’ gardens to any one desiring a floral lift; Lincoln County Historical Association will display local artifacts and share home-grown stories; and New Hope for Women will display art made by women recovering from violence and threat.

Joining them in exalting the benefits of creative expression will be Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts which has recently expanded its Newcastle site to include a permanent gallery for student and master work. Talk with Watershed’s Executive Director, Fran Rudoff, and learn more about Watershed’s extensive ceramic arts education programs.

While the Cottage Lavender Co. gardens are just down the road in Edgecomb, WAW visitors can enjoy the heavenly fragrance of lavender wreaths, wands, and bouquets right on the Village sidewalks; all hand-made and displayed by artist and lavender expert Ramone Hanley-Warren.

Emotions in Writing is new to Wiscasset Art Walk, both as a Major Sponsor and as a community participant. Wiscasset resident Lisa Fourré describes her business succinctly as “charity copywriting for a kinder world,” but she takes on the very complex challenges of helping charitable organizations engage supporters and communicate their efforts more effectively.

The evening starts with wine tasting at Treats, 4-7 p.m., a WAW tradition, but, as a special delight on this night, a local oyster farmer will be shucking fresh oysters for purchase to accompany the sipping.

At the other end of the new sidewalk, Sarah’s Café will be setting up a “comfort table” for WAW visitors featuring complimentary sweets, snacks, and summertime beverages and puts their motto, “The first ingredient is love,” into practice.

Two popular Village shops, both owner-managed, are featuring jewelry trunk shows. In the Clover presents hand-made pieces by Kennebunk’s Pamela DeSantis of Honey Tribe Jewelry. Across the street, Rock Paper Scissors presents hand-made pieces by Damariscotta’s Christine Peters of Christine Peters Jewelry. Meet the jewelry makers. Try on the exquisite pieces.

Midcoast Crafts owner Dennis Chouinard, an accomplished ceramic artist, welcomes visitors into his storefront, new to Wiscasset Village, to watch a wheel-throwing demonstration and learn about the list of hands-on opportunities — single session workshops and multi-session classes — being held at the shop.

All of these offerings plus galleries, music, and plein air artists promise a rich and satisfying late summer evening! Free parking is plentiful in and around Wiscasset Village — look for the signs. Park once and stroll!

Wiscasset Art Walks are held on the last Thursday of the summer months from 5-8 p.m. The next, and final, WAW of 2019 is Sept. 26. Participant sites are marked with colorful streamers and touring maps are available throughout the Village.

Lead Sponsors for Wiscasset Art Walk 2019 are Donna and Frank Barnako. Major Sponsors are Ames True Value, Big Barn Coffee, Carl M.P. Larrabee Agency, Carriage House Gardens, Emotions in Writing, Fogg Art Restoration, Peter H. Eaton & Joan Brownstein Antiques, Red’s Eats, and Wiscasset Woods Lodge; with additional sponsors BIRCH and Rock Paper Scissors.

For more information about Wiscasset Art Walk, please visit www.wiscassetartwalk.org or contact Lucia Droby at ludroby@verizon.net