Although it’s been held around this time of year for ten years, I had forgotten about stART until I heard about it by chance in an email I received last week.  I decided I wanted to go again, so I asked two friends if they’d like to accompany me, and they said yes.  So Anne drove the three of us to Worcester this morning, and we spent the next three hours browsing among the stalls set up on Park Avenue, listening to the street musicians, and feasting on street food.

We were hungry when we arrived, so Anne and I shared a cheese pizza from Fire ‘n’ Slice.  Fortunately for our vegan friend Hugh, the Loving Hut had a booth at the Food Court so he picked out some items from their menu.

The stART website notes that there were

Over 250 artists & crafters, including jewelry, painting, sculpture, soap, candles, lotions, blown glass, drawing, textiles, pet goods, youth artists, woodwork, mosaic, photography, stained glass, ceramics, henna, and so much more

and we saw every one of them.  Not being an artistic-type myself, I really admire people who have a unique vision and can create beauty out of any kind of material, even junk that would end up in landfills.  I am always interested in jewelry, so I looked especially longingly at the earrings.  But none of us bought anything this year, though I did note the websites of artisans whose creations especially intrigued me (Lou’s Upcycles, Carolina’s recycled glass jewelry, and Liz’ lush beads).

Local non-profit organizations also have a presence at stART, and I collected fliers from the Worcester Women’s History Project and the Worcester Chamber Music Society.  We also stopped at the UMass Medical School booth and the Veg Worcester booth.

I’m sure there was something for everyone, including music aficionados, as I counted more than two dozen performers at three different stages.  All in all, it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon on the street in Worcester.