CELEBRATE WESTWOOD'S

5th ANNUAL ARTS IN THE PARK TO HIGHLIGHT THE SYNERGY OF CREATIVE PURSUITS AND MIND-BODY WELLNESS

 

WESTWOOD, NJ (May 12, 2025) -- On Saturday, June 7 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Celebrate Westwood’s ArtsHub will be celebrating creativity in the heart of Westwood by hosting local photographers, illustrators, painters, crafters and other types of creatives from Westwood and neighboring towns at the fifth annual Arts in the Park. The event will be held in Veterans Memorial Park located at Broadway and 3rd Avenue. This year's free, public event is co-hosted by the Westwood Board of Health to highlight the synergy of creative pursuits and mind-body wellness. 

 

In addition to exploring fine arts and unique crafts, textiles, and mixed media displays, attendees will have the opportunity to create their own art with the ArtsHub committee by using chalk and weaving on oversized looms. New this year, attendees of all ages are invited to color a tile as part of our first community mural, in coordination with the Westwood Public Library. 

 

Throughout the afternoon, attendees can expect to hear Tommy Muratore, a country pop violinist bringing his unique sound to the Westwood Bandstand. 

 

Additionally, attendees will be treated to over 35 special galleries presented by the following local artists: painters Sam Ralston, Laura Greene, Sara Pagluica, Sunny H. Shore, Joey Drew, Amy Ferrara, Stefanie Jones, Amy De Pol, Ali Pearson; painter/cartoonists Paola Amarante, Dennis B. Meehan; ceramicists and sculptors Danielle Davies, Ingrig Munin, Suze Gerace, Halle Luttrell of Handmade By Hal, and Marc Cohen; illustrators Analisa Bonizzi, Hannah Dial; graphic artists Ray Mandal and Lauren Filippini of Lighthouse Tattoo Parlor, Paul Hakimian, Rimma Macer; textile artists Alexcia, Alisa Wells, Laurie Donnis of Vyoma Essentials, Samantha Figueroa, Abby Shapiro, Theresa of Poki Dot Shop; sketch artists Ashley Francis, Joseph Ayers, John Grycan; origamist Dina Plotkin; photographer Alexis Lebron; candle and jewelry maker Ashley of Artistically Ashley; large-scale floral artist Lindsey Neff of Larkspur Botanicals; henna artist Anaya Ali.

 

Christine O'Leary Mugno of Hillsdale Arts Studio will be sharing a collection of multi-medium artworks created by herself and her students. The Westwood Forever Young art students will have their painting, sketches, and other designs on display, as will several students from the Westwood Regional School District Visual Arts Department. 

 

The Westwood Public Library will be promoting summer reading and a scavenger hunt while hosting a craft for kids. Nearby, Westwood Kiwanis will be hosting four hands-on STEM projects to spark creativity.

 

This year's event will also feature interactive and informational stations led by health and wellness professionals from the greater Pascack Valley including The Exercise Coach, Spine & health Center, Latchlings, Supp Hub, Massage Envy, Westwood Family Chiropractor, Quantum Psychotherapy Group, Varsity House Gym, Moon Magic, Wakefern/ShopRite, and YWCA Healing Space. Additional community favorites Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, Meals on Wheels, and Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center will be on site to answer questions and meet local residents. 

 

Since 2018, Celebrate Westwood has launched community events and programming including Art in the Park, Music on the Avenues, Westwood-Wide Garage Sales, WestwoodFest, and the Early New Year's Eve Ball Drop. Its BIZhub subcommittee supports local commercial activity through networking and marketing opportunities while ArtsHub is responsible for the creation of joyful projects throughout the community such as the annual Gingerbread House Contest and installations like the 2023 Yarn Bomb.

 

 

The Westwood Board of Health’s mission is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community and to promote awareness of health issues through education & innovation. In 2024, the Board of Health Hosted its inaugural Health Fair and will look to build on last year’s success and shared education through the partnership with Arts in the Park. 

 

 

For a preview of the event including participating artists find Celebrate Westwood on Instagram and Facebook (@celebratewestwood). 

 

For more information about volunteering for the event or to learn more about ArtsHub, contact Heather O'Hara at westwoodartshub@gmail.com. Health vendors should direct questions to Stacy Garvina at westwoodhealthfestival@gmail.com.