NASHUA – The Nashua Area Artists Association will be holding its 72nd annual Greeley Park Art Show, a two-day outdoor juried art show, on Aug. 16-17.

The show is open to artists 18 and older working in 2D and 3D media. While the historic park has some restoration work going on right now, there is plenty of room for the artists, their work, the activities and for you, the art lover.

Awards will be given in several categories: 3D, acrylic, drawing/illustration, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, watercolor, digital art, in addition to Best in Show (winner will have work placed on view at ArtHub and an artist’s reception to be held in September) and Viewer’s Choice. Prizes – monetary and non-monetary for adults is now valued at $4,000. The children’s art contest is by age.

Each year, visitors enjoy seeing their favorite artists they’re familiar with and seeing their new work, while also discovering new artists. Artists and visitors come mostly from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Attendance varies depending on the weather, sometimes the event draws thousands of visitors. The GPAS started out first with artists hanging their work outside on a picket fence. Now artists set up their 10’x10′ tents, each its own unique “microgallery.”

“Artists tend to be introverts, working alone in their studios most of the time,” said Vicky Tkaczevski of Greenfield, a participating acrylic artist and co-coordinator of the show. “The art show gives artists a chance to come out of the woodwork, see what everyone is working on, get inspired, and connect with visiting art-lovers. The visitors get a chance to meet working artists and buy real hand-made art, on a summer day, at beautiful Greeley Park.”