Twenty-five paintings created by children in Armenia have traveled to the Maine coast, where visitors to the sixth annual Armenian Picnic will help choose a People’s Choice Award during a day of food, music, dancing, and community celebration.

The artwork, created by children ages 8 to 14 from the community of Berdavan (pronounced “Bertevan”) and an Artsakh art program, **will be displayed** throughout the picnic on **Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.** at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground. Visitors **will vote** by placing beans beside their favorite paintings, and the winning young artist **will receive** a cash prize and an age-appropriate gift.

The paintings, inspired by favorite foods and family gatherings, reveal children’s views of everyday life through watercolor and marker. Family tables, dancing, vineyards, Mount Ararat, and shared meals appear throughout the collection. After the artwork arrived in Maine this spring, it quickly became a conversation starter among picnic volunteers, who compared favorites, pointed out tiny details, and marveled at the sophistication of the young artists.

“We wanted to find a way to support children’s art programs that celebrated creativity rather than simply offering charity,” said Astrig Tanguay, director of the Makers Guild of Maine. “These paintings started conversations long before the picnic. Now we’re inviting everyone who comes to become part of that conversation.”

With support from Bangor Savings Bank, several of the children’s paintings have also been reproduced as large outdoor banners that will be displayed throughout the event, creating an open-air gallery alongside the food, music, and festivities.

The Armenian Picnic has become a summer tradition on the Midcoast, welcoming people of every background to experience Armenian hospitality. Visitors **will enjoy** wood-fired shish kebab, lahmejun, vegetarian specialties, homemade desserts, Armenian coffee, live music by two bands, traditional dancing, local artisans, children’s activities, and the oceanfront setting of Searsport Shores.

Meals are prepared entirely by volunteers using local ingredients whenever possible. Organizers encourage advance meal purchases through July 25, allowing the cooking team to plan carefully, reduce waste, and direct more resources toward supporting children’s art programs in Armenia.

“This picnic isn’t just for Armenians,” said Tanguay. “It’s for anyone who enjoys gathering around good food, listening to music, discovering another culture, and celebrating what brings people together. Everyone who has helped prepare this event wants visitors to leave feeling welcomed, appreciated, and connected. In return, their participation helps encourage children whose lives have been shaped by war, displacement, and loss to keep creating and sharing their art.”

Admission is free.