UPDATE (Tuesday, July 21, 2026): Due to rain on July 18, the opening reception for this exhibit was again postponed.

UPDATE (July 14, 2026): Following a storm the night before the rescheduled opening, the formal launch of "The Great Art-Doors" was postponed once more, to Saturday, July 18. The reception is also now planned for 10 am to 2 pm.

UPDATE (July 21, 2026): The names of two artists who were accidentally missed in this reminder have been added back into the narrative below.

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“The Great Art-Doors,” an outdoor exhibition that went on view within Nettleton Preserve last weekend, is on view daily from dawn to dusk until September 11.

Readers are invited to the opening reception planned for Sunday, July 5, from 2 to 4 pm. Light refreshments will be served and many artists are planning to be in attendance.

The reception was originally scheduled for June 27, but inclement weather forced the postponement of the event.

Following a call for artists issued in September, Newtown Forest Association (NFA), in partnership with local artist Annette Womack, is hosting the trail exhibition within the NFA-owned property.

NFA and Womack invited local artists to display their work along the scenic trails in a temporary outdoor exhibit. Nettleton Preserve is a 26-acre property acquired by NFA through Arthur T. Nettleton’s estate in 1973. The property lines run adjacent to parts of Old Castle Drive, Castle Drive, and West Street. An iron bench provides seating over one of the most photographed scenes in town: the view toward the Main Street flagpole; the steeples of Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown Meeting House, and Trinity Episcopal Church; and rolling hills beyond.

Those who follow the trails from the top of that hill this summer will be surprised with ten installations. Artists have created mixed media works, wood and acrylic, metal, wires, clay, cement, repurposed materials, and more. The artists with work accepted into the exhibition are Paula Brinkman, Patrick Dunne, R.T. Eckenrode, Alexia “Lexi” Gonzalez, Lucia Romano, Julie Schwartz, Daisy Sorenson and Darryl Sorenson, Tracy Van Buskirk, and Willow “Bean” Womack.

Organizer-curator Womack also has a piece included in “The Great Art-Doors.”

The theme for the inaugural exhibit was “Open,” and artists were encouraged to interpret that any way they wished. Artists were encouraged to create works that engage with the natural surroundings, spark curiosity, and enhance the visitor experience on the trails.

Readers are invited to explore the preserve at 2 Old Castle Drive to find and enjoy the ten works that have been installed (the Sorensens collaborated on their piece). Signage and “Great Art-Doors” trail maps will guide visitors through the exhibition. QR codes on each work’s accompanying tag will take visitors to a page on the NFA website that offers artist statements and biographies for the participating artists.

Those planning to visit “The Great Art-Doors” should note the terrain is hilly, and steep in some locations.

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.