This year’s monthlong Gloucester Arts Festival promises to be a sweeping event filled with activities that appeal to the artist in everyone. From the kickoff unveiling of sculptures on Main Street on June 3 to the closing U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band concert on Walter Reed Way on June 26, the visual and performing arts will be front-and-center in June.

Adrienne Ryder Cook Joseph, president of the Cook Foundation, and Mollie Stewart, Artist in Resident Director at Arts on Main, expressed excitement and enthusiasm about the upcoming activities.

Stewart said that, with the pandemic still very much in evidence during the planning stages, it was decided to embrace a plein air festival this year, with every event held outdoors.

“It’s completely COVID-safe,” she said. “And putting it outside has allowed us to welcome more people.”

The festival committee decided to include more events for the community this year, as well, said Stewart, with plenty of opportunities to meet the paint...