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Crowds Have Westchester Festival Artists Smiling

Oil paintings by Kelvin Henderson of Maryland drew attention Saturday at the Westchester Festival of the Arts in Scarsdale. Photo Credit: Mark Chapman
Vermont artist Edward Loedding, right, waits near his booth Saturday afternoon on opening day of the Westchester Festival of the Arts. Loedding, whose work includes digital paintings of flowers, said he had a good morning. Photo Credit: Mark Chapman
A dad helps his son plunk out some notes on a handmade instrument by Archie Smith of Mount Pleasant, N.C. Smith advertises "sculptural-functional" instruments. Photo Credit: Mark Chapman
Digital artist Edward Loedding said he does about 19 shows a year from Scarsdale and the Hamptons to Florida, and finds that his Florida sales are often for the buyer's New York home, while art bought in New York is frequently for the winter home in Florida. Photo Credit: Mark Chapman

SCARSDALE, N.Y. – A random, unscientific sampling on opening day of the third annual Westchester Festival of the Arts revealed that artists love Scarsdale.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures created a picture-perfect setting for the festival, and, the artists said about two hours before closing, the crowd was decent.

"We were expecting a moderate crowd," said Wendy Vroom of Princeton, N.J., a photographer showing in Scarsdale for the second time. "It's a very nice day, and everybody seems happy to see us here. We feel welcome."

"It's been good," said Kelvin Henderson of Suitland, Md., also here for the second time. "People are out. It's a beautiful day. It's quiet now, but I think everything will work out tomorrow. I love this area. It's gorgeous."

The 50-artist show, on Chase Road in the village, will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

For Edward Loedding of Brandon, Vt., Saturday was more like a Sunday – slower and laid back – so he is expecting a Saturday crowd on Sunday. "I'm not the least bit disappointed that it's not quite up to snuff today. I had a decent morning."

Loedding has been a part of the festival for all three years and says it's a good venue. "I always walk away with spectacular results."

Loedding's art starts with flower photos and combines montage and digital painting, he said. He uses a custom-modified 74-inch Roland Symphony printer that uses 12 colors of Symphonic Ultramax ink. He blends together bits of several photos and creates a place where, he says, realism meets abstraction.

Vroom also chooses flowers as her subjects, displaying giclée prints of large close-ups of detailed blossoms.

Henderson's colorful oil paintings are more abstract and have multiple themes and textures. Many have a musical motif.

The festival also includes sculpture, jewelry, glass, fiber, ceramics, metal and wood. It is hosted by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce.

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