BETHEL – Arla Patch has left her mark on the local community through public art in the schools and her service on the Mahoosuc Arts Council in the mid-1990s. A multidisciplinary artist, she also uses art as a healing modality.

It is for these and other reasons that the Mahoosuc Arts Council will honor her at the 23rd annual Bethel Art Fair on July 6-7.

Patch’s work will be featured in a solo exhibit at the Owen Gallery at Gould Academy from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 6, when an ARTirondack chair walk will connect this show with the 8th annual “Shy, Novice & Closeted Art Show” at 18 High St.

Her show will also be on exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 7, during the Bethel Art Fair. At 11 a.m., Patch will give a gallery talk about her work. Her books and winning posters will be available at the Mahoosuc Arts tent on the common on Broad Street throughout the fair.

Patch is also a creativity midwife, photographer, teacher and writer. An early trauma sowed the seeds of a transformative recovery. Her artistic nature led her to use art as a tool for healing herself, as well as supporting others.

Patch graduated from high school in Bangkok, Thailand, having spent her senior year there as the daughter of a U.S. Information Service officer. She studied at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pa., and Rome, Italy, and did her graduate work at Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. She has exhibited widely in the United States and abroad, including a solo exhibit in Taipei, Taiwan. Her work is in the collection of the University of New England as well as in private collections.

Patch won three merit awards from Color Magazine in 2009, 2010 and 2011; and received a spotlight award from B&W + Color Magazine in March. 

Bethel Art Fair schedule

July 6: Solo exhibit of artwork by Arla Patch, 5 p.m. at Owen Gallery on High Street. An art walk will take visitors along High Street, connecting the Owen Gallery to the “Shy, Novice & Closeted” soiree at the other end of High Street.

July 7: (Events happening on the common, except where noted)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Artist and artisan exhibits

10 a.m.: Punch and Judy puppet show

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Lunch on the common

11 a.m.: Talk by artist Arla Patch at Owen Gallery

11 a.m.: Abbie Goldberg & Amaila Siegel

Noon: Art Fair artist winners announced

Noon: Troubadour Brad Hooper

1 p.m.: Harpist Conni St. Pierre

Ninth annual ARTirondack auction

3 p.m.: Blue Willow Jazz Band

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: “Shy, Novice & Closeted Art Show,: 18 High St.

Also over the weekend, the Bethel Historical Society’s “Full of Memory and Sentiment: Autograph Quilts from the Bethel Historical Society Collection” will open. Featured will be 19th-century quilts, never before displayed. They will be on view from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Robinson House, 10 Broad St.

In addition, the Music without Borders International Piano Festival will continue through July 21 at Gould Academy. For times and dates, visit  www.musicwoborders.com.

For more information on the Bethel Art Fair, call 824-3575, send an email to info@mahoosucarts.org or visit www.mahoosucarts.org.

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