Dana Warp Mill hosts showcase of local art, artists

WESTBROOK – The Dana Warp Mill on Bridge Street is hosting a night of art on Friday.

“Mill-ieu 2,” an exhibition featuring the work of local artists, and the Bakery Collective’s “Photo-go-go” annual auction, are taking place concurrently at the mill. The art show runs from 6-9 p.m., while the auction ends an hour earlier.

In its first year, the event drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people, according to Steve Pennisi, an artist and managing director of Pennisi-Lamare Advertising.

“It’s really packed,” Pennisi said. “We’re still hoping for a similar turnout.”

The event is free, as is parking. Guests will be able to tour open artists’ studios and purchase works of art. Pennisi said there will be a wall of original art tagged at $200 or less, as well as larger works.

Participating artists include Pennisi, Richard Garrigus, Kate Chappell, Jean-Pierre Rousset, Catherine Breer, George Hughes, Ed Zelinsky and Laura Savard.

At the Photo-go-go auction, members, interns and photographers from around the country donate framed prints that are displayed and sold at a silent auction.

The event has also been expanded this year to include other art forms. Reggae band The Pressure Points and rockabilly artist King Memphis will perform live music, Acorn Productions will stage “Naked Shakespeare” and dancers with Drouin Dance will perform as well, Pennisi said.

“We have all this creativity wrapped around a nice party, too,” he said.

Pennisi said the mill is becoming a creative hub as Westbrook continues to gain a reputation for its artistic community. The planned events for Mill-ieu 2 are intended as an annual celebration of the arts in Westbrook, he said.

Pennisi thanked everyone from the city, sponsors and local restaurants for making the event possible.