UNION — The New Union Farmers Market will be holding an exhibit and sale of local art beginning Friday, September 13, at the Blueberry Building at 61 Common Road in Union. The exhibit will feature work created at a recent plein air paint day held at Ladybird Farm in Union. The show will feature the work of local artists, such as Cassie Sano, Amy Cornell, Karin Strong and Arthur Schaefer.

All work will be for sale, and profits will benefit both the artists and the New Union Farmers Market, which is raising funds to cover signage and marketing costs for its next season.

The New Union Farmers Market, still in its first season at the Blueberry Building site, will take place on the grounds during the opening reception of the exhibit. Organic vegetables, goat cheese, blueberry products, mushrooms, eggs and more will be available for purchase. Shift Wood Fired Pizza Truck will be in attendance, and there will be live music and outdoor seating.

Union resident Donna Fiumano, who hosted the Plein Air painting event, is excited about the prospect of connecting artists and farmers. Fiumano, who sells eggs at the New Union Farmers Market, said in a news release that "Union is a special town, with a strong farming and arts presence, so this show is a very exciting opportunity to merge those two cultures to the benefit of all."

Amy Jo Sirianni, a co-organizer of the event and a local artist whose work will be featured in the show, echoes the enthusiasm: "Union is a hidden gem, a perfect place for artists to find inspiration, which many did last Saturday, painting at Ladybird Farm. This art show merges two important forms of sustenance: farm-fresh food for the body and art for the heart. It's a beautiful thing!"

The show is free and open to the public. The opening reception will take place Friday, September 13*, from 3pm-6pm, and the exhibit will be open from Tuesday, 9/17 - Thursday, 9/19, 10am-2pm, and on Friday, 9/20, from 3pm-6pm.