Art Show- Walnut Beach Amusement Park 100th Anniversary

MAC’s Firehouse Art Gallery Celebrates Walnut Beach Amusement Park’s 100^th Anniversary, August 16-18th

The Artist2Artist Group from the Milford Art Council is sponsoring an art exhibit of original paintings, posters, and photographs celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Walnut Beach Amusement Park. The idea for this show has been on Elizabeth Wright’s mind for years. As the Artist2Artist group’s leader this year, her enthusiasm for this Devon milestone, garnered support and participated from members.

Elizabeth has written two editions of the History of Walnut and Myrtle beaches with Ellie Russo Benefico and is deeply knowledgeable about the area’s unique history. A long-time artist and gallery owner, her Beach Gallery was located at the seaside end of Naugatuck Avenue. Elizabeth has been collaborating with Ronnie Ann Ryan of Milford, as well as Olive Lagace, Cameron Kimball, and Sam Hernandez among others.

Whimsical artwork features historic buildings as well as memorabilia associated with the amusement park. 1924 was in the middle the “Roaring 20s” and the Whitman Brothers brought the area to life with their 18-acre park. There were many rides including a three-loop roller coaster, carousel, bumping cars and Ferris wheel, plus a penny arcade.

The area had a nightclub called the Emerald Room which drew in New York entertainers like Rudy Vallee and Duke Ellington, as well as celebrities like May West. In addition, there were a few well-known hotels, dance clubs, restaurants, oyster huts, sweet shops, and more. They even rented bathing suits to summer visitors!

This historic and colorful show at the Firehouse Art Gallery opens Friday, August 16^th, between 4-8pm, and will also be available Saturday and Sunday during the day. Please stop by and take a walk down memory lane, enjoying a time gone by in the Walnut Beach neighborhood.