The Clinton Art & Music Festival, held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, brought together over 50 vendors, food trucks, and 11 musical acts to the Village Green and surrounding areas. The event, a fixture in Clinton for two decades, highlighted diverse artistic expressions and a strong sense of community.
Among the artists featured was John Farr, a 1982 graduate of Clinton High School, who showcased his power-carved wooden sculptures. Farr explained that he began carving as a way to repurpose ash trees on his property that had been killed by an invasive insect. He expressed his interest in returning to the festival, noting its organization and communication regarding traffic and parking.
Richard Beach, known for his Metals N Petals creations, demonstrated another form of repurposing by transforming recycled air filters, spark plugs, and other discarded metal items into flower bouquets. Artist David Oster also participated, presenting detailed drawings of historical buildings, barns, and fantasy scenes, created using felt-tipped pens and colored pencils. Oster shared that his love for drawing barns stems from spending summers on his grandparents’ farm as a child.
Isabelle Alexander-Klaboe, the executive director of the Laurens County Chamber, experienced the festival from an organizational perspective for the first time. She noted the willingness of long-time vendors to assist, which she found indicative of the strong community spirit in Clinton. Carol Drogus, assistant treasurer of the Kirkland Art Center and a Clinton resident for nearly 40 years, emphasized that events like the festival contribute to the village’s distinct character, providing residents with ongoing calendar attractions.
