First pg 1 8-11-11
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caption, pg 1:
Art Attack
Lindsay Shaw Lehmann's photo mural graces the wall of a building on Front Street, Putnam, during First Friday Aug. 5. More on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
caption, pg. 6:
Left: Singer Spogga Hash from Providence (he also did a fire show at dark). Above: Lindsay Shaw Lehmann with her photo mural. Bottom left: Lillian Austin, 10, with a hula hoop. Bottom right: Jenn Ruggirello, owner of Woolworks, spinning wool.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- First Fridays, an extravaganza of the arts and food and retail vibrancy, is growing each and every month.
The First Fridays, held around downtown Putnam the first Friday of each month, began in May and Karen Osbrey, president of the Putnam Business Association, said each month draws more and more folks to downtown.
"I think First Fridays are growing and people are anticipating them now. What I find amazing is that not only did people come out last night (Aug. 5) for First Friday and to dine in our many, fabulous restaurants, but there were also TWO live theater productions in Putnam on the same night," Osbrey said. She added, "I think First Fridays are a perfect compliment to the theater, dining and arts that are already so popular in Putnam."
Each First Friday includes at least one "Art Attack," be it dance, song, photography, graffiti, or painting. After a graffiti "hiccup" with the Art Attack in July, this month's Art Attack included a photo mural by Lindsay Shaw Lehmann. The photographer said it took 20 hours of work to get the photo collage ready to be printed on a large scale, like a banner. The mural was installed on the front of the building at the corner of Front and Livery streets.
Of the Art Attacks, Osbrey said "The original plan was for one per month, but more and more artists are coming forward and want to participate. We had three Art Attacks in July and three on Aug. 5. It’s hard to say no to such enthusiasm and talent."