Residents of Newburgh and visitors to Downing Park are invited to the final weekend of Arts in the Park on Saturday, July 6 for an afternoon of creativity, community and connection with the park.

The upcoming weekend will conclude a third year of programming in the city.

Chapman Steamer Arts, a nonprofit arts organization in the city, serves as the creators and presenters of the Arts in the Park series. Resident Carlye Eckert, a founding member and director of programming for the organization, shared insight into the outdoor art series.

“Arts in the Park is first and foremost free public arts programming in Downing Park – anything that can be taught in a class, presented or performed, and also installed,” said Eckert. “We’ve have had dance performances, musical performances, moving sculpture, which was an installation in the park our first year. One of my deepest and longest held beliefs is that art creates and strengthens communities.”

The program not only looks to expand the park’s public offerings but also bring a variety of experiences to the community and visitors. The events offer inspiration and help the greater community grow in its appreciation for the natural space.

The program thus far has been appreciated by the community.

“I think the feedback has been one of appreciation whether someone can make it out to or not, they see the importance of the program to continue,” said Eckert. “So far, everyone who’s come up and discovered an event has been really, really grateful and surprised and wanted to learn more.”

The remaining lineup for the Arts in the Park include the following all happening on Saturday, July 6th:

Starting at 1 p.m. and going to 3 p.m., Imagine That! (formerly Shapes of the City) will be held. It is a participatory art project by artist and designer Chat Travieso that invites participants to create shapes representing their visions for the city and place them on a shared board. Through this symbolic gesture, individual ideas coalesce into a critical and affirmative collective expression of what the city is and what it could be. Join this event outdoors at the Shelter House for family friendly hands-on activities with the community.

From 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. African Dance with Melody Africa and live drummers will be held on the big lawn. This class is tailored to all ages and abilities. At the end of the evening from 6 to 8 p.m., musicians of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra present A String Quartet Classical Music Concert, featuring Concert Master Adrienne Harmon at the Downing Park Amphitheater.

The Arts in the Park program description and more information on Arts in the Park are available at the Chapman Steamer Arts official website chapmansteamerarts.org/arts-in-the-park. A flyer of events is also posted on the City of Newburgh website.