The ISW Symphony team transformed the India Center into a vibrant hub of artistic expression on Saturday, May 3rd, as it hosted the much-anticipated ISW Visual Art Festival 2025. Running from 3 PM to 7 PM, the event drew a diverse crowd of art enthusiasts, families, and community members, all eager to celebrate local talent and creativity.
This year’s festival theme was ‘Prakruti- Beauty of Nature’ . The event was an impressive showcase of visual art by local artists, who displayed a wide range of works—from traditional Indian-inspired paintings to modern mixed media pieces. The colorful exhibits provided a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their art and connect with the community.
Some highlights included Java Mehta, from the Academy of Creative Arts shared her artistic journey with the audience. Susmita Bando presented to the audience her thoughts on creative connections between Indian Classical and Folk visual Art with the 20th century art of the contemporary West.
Adding to the interactive spirit of the afternoon were two creative workshops, which invited participants of different ages to explore their own artistic potential. Whether it was the one stroke painting on canvas taught by Shilpa Adduri, who also did a wonderful ‘live art’ demonstration or our other creative workshop experimenting with clay to create artwork at the Lippan Art workshop conducted by Sunanda Sahay, attendees enjoyed hands-on experiences.
Another highlight of the event was the Kids Art Contest, where young artists from across the community proudly displayed their creations. The contest brought out a wonderful energy, as families gathered to cheer on the next generation of artists and the contestants were ably judged by Susmita Bando and Sunanda Sahay, both of whom are accomplished artists.
Art Competition ISW winners-
- Oil Pastels (5-9yrs)
- Aadhya Tyagi - 1st
- Dhwani Patel - 3rd
Acrylic painting (10-15yrs)
- Sriansha Verma -1st
- Sophie Kashwan - 2nd
- Pranika Arun - 3rd
Thank you to Swara Gurao and Shanali Patil, our young volunteers who helped with the art contest.
Festival-goers also had the opportunity to browse and shop at booths hosted by vendors featuring handcrafted items, including jewelry, home decor, and artisan gifts. The marketplace added a unique flair to the event, celebrating craftsmanship and supporting local entrepreneurs.
A big shout out to our amazing vendors and donors who donated for our giveaway baskets,
- Neha Ujlayan
- Hustham by Gavoury Kumar
- Art by Khushboo
- The Neem Tree co by Rashmi Deshpande
- CraftZ360 by Shweta Shah
- Meena Art & Craft by Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy
- Art Decor Collective by Archana Nambiar
We also had Moon House showcasing their pottery for the first time.
Of course, no celebration at the India Center would be complete without delicious food! Guests savored an array of Indian dishes and snacks, which added flavor to the already festive atmosphere.
The ISW Visual Art Festival 2025 was not just a celebration of art—it was a reflection of community spirit, cultural pride, and creative collaboration. With strong attendance and enthusiastic participation, the event reinforced ISW’s role as a cornerstone for cultural enrichment in Central Massachusetts.
For more information about upcoming ISW events, visit iswonline.org
