(METUCHEN, NJ) -- The Metuchen Art & Music Festival (METFEST) -- formerly known as “Junebug” -- transforms into a one-day celebration of the visual and performing arts, embracing a new name that reflects our increased focus on high-end art and music. Registration for visual artists opened on March 1st with the application deadline on May 1, 2018.
Now in its 11th year, the festival features more than 150 visual and performing artists of all genres and draws thousands of visitors from the tri-state area.
The 2018 event will take place on Saturday, June 9th from Noon – 10:00 pm throughout the streets of downtown Metuchen. Main, New and Pearl Streets will be closed to traffic, making room for a fantastic line-up of open air art exhibits, interactive events and live performances.
METFEST is accepting applications from visual artists for outdoor street exhibit space and is seeking highly qualified local, regional and national practitioners with expertise in all media – oil, acrylics, ink, watercolor, clay, glass, precious stones, textiles, photography, fiber, etc.
The festival uses an online registration system called ZAPP®, which enables individual artists to apply to multiple art shows through one central website and to upload digital images of artwork for jury review.
To register, go to ZAPP and set up a profile. The search for "2018 Metuchen Art & Music Festival - METFEST" or you can find the event HERE. Upload six images of work that is representative of what will be exhibited. Applicants will also need to include a headshot and a brief bio.
“I’m really excited about our new direction with a one-time, ‘must see,’ ‘must attend’ event,” commented Bob Diken, METFEST Planning Team Head. “We have a new look, a new format, a new focus . . . Junebug has METamorphosized! It’s an exciting new era for the arts and music in Metuchen, and artists should NOT miss out on this great opportunity to share their work with an art-conscious audience.”
For the first time, the festival will include two main stages – one at the corner of Hillside and Main Streets and one on the new Woodmont Plaza. Visitors can expect a line-up of indie, rock and folk music performances, including Lowlight, The Cold Seas, the Rock n Roll Hi Fives, Scott Wolfson & Other Heroes, as well as some favorite Metuchen bands.
Interactive events focused on children will be featured as part of the Junior Bug Kid Zone, to include a wall mall, selfie station and group bubble activity.
Lambertville NJ Artist Susanne Pitak Davis will create a sculpture representing a theme of metamorphosis. She is an artist and art therapist mostly known for her colorful imaginative sculpture. Her work is an exploration of the concept of "art as talisman.”