From its beginnings more than 20 years ago, Westminster's Art in the Park has always been held on the grounds surrounding its City Hall.

"We've been asked over and over to move it to the streets, but there's just something about the park," said Susan Williamson, visual arts coordinator for Carroll Arts Center, which organizes the annual event.

"Emerald Hill Park is just so pretty, and people enjoy hanging out," she said, noting the grassy and tree-lined area just north of the city hall and its parking lot. "It's just a wonderful open-air festival."

Featuring high-end crafts and artwork by artists from around the state, Art in the Park will make its appearance for 2009 on Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to its art emphasis, the festival also offers strolling musicians, food and activities for children.

Williamson has been handling the event for the last seven years. With her guidance, Art in the Park has grown from once featuring primarily paintings to now including crafts, sculpture, photography and more.

"Pampered Chef and Iron Grip ... we don't do that," Williamson said. "It is a juried show. We probably have more than 50 spaces allotted right now."

Of those 50, about 10 are artists who will be making their debut appearance at Art in the Park, Williamson said.

"Young and old, professional and amateur, all show side-by-side," Williamson said. "When you buy art, it is handmade and very special."

Gordon Wickes, a photographer and member of the Westminster-based artist cooperative, Off-Track Art, said nine members of the coop will share a tent at Art in the park.

He'll be displaying his works, which center on travel, Ireland and nature. His wife, painter Marge Wickes, has also been involved in year's past at the festival.

"Art in the Park has been around so long," he said. "It has a great following."

Wickes said the day also gives a chance for people to discover other arts-related facets of Westminster, from art on display at Locust Books to the gallery shows at Off-Track's facility at 11 Liberty St., and at the Carroll Arts Center at 81 W. Main St.

"There's always new things to see," he said. 'People don't realize what's here."

The day will feature strolling musicians, free face painting and food vendors, too.

"We used to have a central stage where musicians played, but it didn't work," Williamson said. "Now we have strolling musicians. That's always fun. It becomes more of festival."

The free event is done to promote artists and the city's overall arts community. Though the Carroll Arts Center does make a little bit of money from it, ultimately, it is artist recognition that's the primary goal, Williamson said.

"We try to keep everything free," she said. "It is a goodwill thing."

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