Courtesy photo This and other works by Nashua abstract mixed-media artist Doug Huntley will be on display at this week's ArtWeek & KidsWeek 2021. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – Art exhibits and demonstrations, performances, sculpture tours, displays and the Rotary Club West’s Duck Derby are some of the attractions scheduled for the kickoff of City Arts Nashua’s week-long ArtWeek & KidsWeek 2021.

Founded as ArtWalk 17 years ago, the event featured a series of open studios and other exhibit locations that participants visited over the course of two days.

But the arrival last year of the COVID-19 virus, and its subsequent pandemic, forced City Arts Nashua “to think outside the box by creating a new format” for the event, according to Asia Scudder, the event coordinator.

Organizers are making full use of social media for the event, in order to reach as many viewers as possible.

They include:

Courtesy photo Eric Escobar, one of the many artists and performers participating in the week-long ArtWeek & KidsWeek 2021, will be hosting a live artmaking performance on Saturday to help kick off the week's events. (Courtesy photo)

• The City Arts Nashua website, www.cityartsnashua.org

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cityartsnashua

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/artwalknashua

• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCypBL2b9Hg23cx-zPf0a6kQ

• Access Nashua (Comcast channel 96); livestream, accessnashua.org/stream.php

Courtesy photo This and other works by landscape artist Janice Donnelly will be on display at this week's ArtWeek & KidsWeek 2021. (Courtesy photo)

The event will explore the Greater Nashua arts scene, giving visitors both virtually and in-person the opportunity to view CAN’s signature mural installation and “meet” local artists via video footage.

Profiles of various artists and their work will be featured on social media throughout the week.

Artwork will be on display in the windows of downtown businesses. There will be QR codes accompanying the pieces, which visitors can click on to learn more about the artists and their work.

Artists’ display locations include:

• Bar Harbor Bank, 188 Main St. (East Pearl Street side of the building): Janice Donnelly, Madeleine LaRose, Carol Lake, Nona Angelini and Joseph Bryant

Courtesy photo Musicians from the Nashua Community Music School will perform at this week's ArtWeek & KidsWeek 2021 in downtown Nashua. (Courtesy photo)

• DesignWares, 206 Main St.: Brenda McDougald

• Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, 60 Main St.: Students at Gate City Charter School for the Arts

The KidsWeek component is bringing back its popular scavenger hunt, with more mini-art kits and fun content for the enjoyment of young artists.

During the week, 50 mini art kits containing paint, sewing or sculpture projects will be hidden at various locations where Nashua International Sculpture Symposium sculptures are installed. Hints will be revealed on social media, and hard copy maps of the sculpture site locations will be available at The Picker Artists Studios, 3 Pine St.

Also for kids, “Woz Watts” and “Side the Puppet” will be going undercover as superheroes, channeling “The Avengers.”

More information, including a full list of all the artists and performers taking part in the event, are available at www.cityartsnashua.org.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.