A VIP preview, great music & delicious local food.

An Occasion for the Arts presents, An Evening for the Arts.

October 6, 2023 from 5pm to 9pm at An Evening for the Arts Tent, located in the parking lot behind Blue Talon, on (420 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185).

This ticketed Friday event is our inaugural fundraiser to support an “Artist in Residence” program supporting the arts in Williamsburg / James City County Public Schools.

This program will bring a practicing artisan into a school for a period of time to work on a specific project approved by the school board and the school which will result in a substantiative public art installation.

The wealth of knowledge and experience that teaching artists bring to the classroom is unparalleled. They excite students about their art area of expertise and provide a depth of knowledge to both students and teachers. This program is designed to provide an invaluable experience to students through hands-on support, engagement by the entire student body and a community-building experience.

Not only will you be able to support art education in the schools, your ticket offers you an artist preview, allowing you to shop early to find your perfect treasure, music from the band Good Shot Judy and an eclectic mix of food from local Merchants Square restaurants.

“The inaugural Evening for the Arts promises to be not only a fun night out; it’s all for a worthy cause,” said Jill Pongonis, who is on the Board of Directors for An Occasion for the Arts and also part of the committee planning An Evening for the Arts.

“Guests in attendance will be able to get a peek at what’s in store for the weekend and go behind the scenes with the artists while enjoying some great music and delicious, local food.”

An Evening for the Arts will begin at 5 p.m., with a private shopping event of artwork from the talented festival artists and a chance for guests to mingle with the artists at the party. The full reception will begin at 7 p.m., with food stations featuring featuring the best small bites in Merchants Square.

Participating restaurants include Aromas Coffeehouse Bakery & Café, Baskin-Robbins, Colonial Williamsburg restaurants Gold Course Clubhouse Grille, Rockefeller Room and Sweet Tea & Barley, Culture Cafe, illy Caffé, Mellow Mushroom, Precarious Beer Hall, Retro’s Good Eats, and Saladworks.