When the 32nd annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival turns downtown Norwich into a free celebration of arts and entertainment Sept. 11-13, festival goers will enjoy two additions to the annual event – a Friday evening rock concert to get things started, and world-class glassmaking from the Corning Museum of Glass.
Colorscape Chenango will bring more than 120 juried artists to East and West Parks, displaying paintings, sculptures, drawings, fabric arts, photography and many other works. Some of the artists will demonstrate their crafts to guests marveling at their skill and creativity.
And those who want to do more than admire others’ artworks can create their own masterpieces. Guests will find numerous hands-on opportunities to participate in producing artworks, actively engaging in the fun, in addition to watching others.
Live music and poetry will entertain attendees from three stages throughout the weekend.
The festival, a beloved Chenango County tradition for more than three decades, annually attracts 10,000 to 12,000 attendees from throughout New York and up and down the East Coast. They come to enjoy the celebration that Sunshine Artist Magazine calls one of the top 100 Fine Art & Design Festivals in the country.
“There’s a big vibe of community involvement, and I always hear from people that the quality of the art is unmatched,” said Colorscape Executive Director Michele Ericksen. “It is pretty much unmatched in upstate New York.”
The “Kick Off to Colorscape” concert will feature fan favorites The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, playing Americana roots rock. Sponsored by Norwich Rehabilitation, begins 7 p.m. Sept. 11 on the NBT Main Stage in East Park. The music and poetry continue for the next two days on the stage as well as Peggy’s Stage, and the family-friendly Art Zone Stage.
This year, the world-renowned glassworkers from the Corning Museum of Glass will join the participating artists. Watch a demonstration and you’ll be awarded a free raffle ticket for a chance to win the piece being created before your eyes.
In other highlights, the Adam Ezra Group will return for the first time in several years playing folk-Americana soul and rock, and the festival closes Sunday with YARN, an Americana band originally from Brooklyn, now based in North Carolina.
For hands-on activities, Airigami, the Rochester-based artists who create large-scale installations out of balloons, will engage Colorscape attendees in producing one of their works. Festival visitors will be invited to contribute to a massive balloon installation depicting the Haudenosaunee Flag, a modern representation of the Hiawatha Wampum Belt.
That’s one of many opportunities to get creative. Children preschool through age 12 can explore hands-on activities in the Kids’ Art Zone, while participants ages 13 and up can experiment with new materials and techniques in the Golden Art Zone, sponsored by Golden Artist Colors. Families can also find creative activities throughout the festival, including along Nonprofit Row, where local organizations offer activities and opportunities to connect with the community.
“All the materials are supplied, you can make as many projects as you want,” Ericksen said. “You can come and spend your day making art if you want to.”
The fun won’t be confined to the two parks, but will reach throughout downtown Norwich with a BINGO game that sends players seeking stamps from businesses, restaurants and Colorscape volunteers around town.
Participants pick up BINGO cards at the Norwich Business Improvement District tent Friday evening, or the Colorscape Headquarters tent afterward. Return the filled-out cards by noon Sunday. At 12:15 p.m. Sunday, two winners will be drawn, each receiving $100 in Color Cash to spend at the festival by 5 p.m.
Colorscape’s Opening Ceremony will take place Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. on the NBT Main Stage, featuring the presentation of the 2026 Colors Cape Award and Volunteer of the Year Award honoring those who have helped give Colorscape the rich tradition that makes it such a special celebration in Chenango County. This year’s Colors Cape Award will be presented posthumously to Esther Flanagan, honoring her longstanding support of Colorscape. The 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Dr. Tom Holmes, recognizing his many years of continued, dedicated service to Colorscape. Dr. Holmes has spent years leading Colorscape’s Environmental Team, helping ensure that East and West Parks remain clean, sanitary, and welcoming throughout the Festival.
Guests will find plenty of parking around the perimeter of the festival, including many side streets and in front of the Chenango County office building.
Handicapped parking is available along the west side of Broad Street between West Main Street and West Park Place, in the Guersney Memorial Library parking lot and in the United Church of Christ parking lot.
For more information, visit www.colorscape.org.