Creating Positive Spaces with Art Night Bristol Warren

Lisa Elliot weaves at Made in Warren during an Art Night Bristol Warren event. Photography courtesy of Art Night Bristol Warren

For years, Warren has been the place for all things quirky, artsy and cool. There’s just a vibe to the town that’s undeniable. I mean, where else in Rhode Island can you find gorgeous historic architecture, a vibrant  arts scene and so many thriving independent restaurants, shops and galleries? Sprinkle in Fort Foreclosure, a charming cidery and seaside views and — voila — you’ve got one funky little town.

Artist Sarah Hess with her botanical block prints at Made in Warren. Photography courtesy of Art Night Bristol Warren

Around fifteen years ago, a group of folks recognized this and formed Art Night Bristol Warren, joining forces with the town’s neighbor to the south to showcase the area’s coolness quotient. The nights bring together artists, makers, musicians and more, who gather at local art galleries, shops, restaurants and public spaces to mingle with residents and share their creativity.

“It was really a grassroots effort,” says Marny Kindness, co-chair of Art Night Bristol Warren’s board. “Local artists and community members wanted to do something because they recognized that Bristol and Warren were such arts communities.”

This year’s season runs May–August, on the last Thursday of the month, from 5:30–8 p.m. Two of the nights feature Warren, while the other two focus on Bristol. It kicks off on May 28 with a party at Pivotal Brewing Company in Bristol, where attendees can grab a pint and some snacks, take in some tunes, and pick up a map of participating galleries and spaces. The focus continues in Bristol, where stores and galleries — mostly on Hope and Thames streets — will host artists and demonstrations.

The festivities move to Warren on June 25, with shops, galleries and other spaces on Main, Market and Cutler streets — including the Warren Handkerchief Factory and the 30 Cutler St. building — taking part.

It’s back to Bristol on July 30, while Aug. 27 will feature galleries and shops on Warren’s Water Street. The season ends with a closing party in September at The Guild in Warren, which usually brews a special Art Night Bristol Warren beer as part of the “Pint for a Purpose” program to raise funds for the organization.

Sharks Come Cruisin sings sea shanties in downtown Warren. Photography courtesy of Art Night Bristol Warren

When Rhode Islanders think of art crawls, the popular Gallery Night Providence might come to mind. But the East Bay’s event is a little different; it’s a smaller organization running things, for one, with fewer spaces for artists to exhibit. Which means that Kindness and other board members are always looking for local businesses to host an artist for an evening.

Gray’s Ice Cream, for example, which just opened a location on Bristol’s Hope Street, was paired with an artist who created Rhode Island-centric pieces. ReMax River’s Edge in Bristol is always eager to host artists as well, Kindness says, while Alayne White hosted live painting demonstrations in her gorgeous backyard gardens last season.

“We’re driving not just foot traffic to the business, but the artists get exposure as well,” Kindness says. “We’re deeply committed. A lot of us on the board got our start being artists. And so we want to make sure that artists have an opportunity, because it’s really hard to get gallery representation.

Artist Kevin Calistro dabbles with watercolors at Alayne White. Photography courtesy of Art Night Bristol Warren

“There aren’t a ton of places in Rhode Island where you can just walk in and say, ‘Hi, can you put my artwork on the wall?’ It’s really difficult to do that. So we wanted to try to find different types of opportunities.”

Surprises abound at these events. Round a corner and you may run into a group of plein-air stitchers practicing their embroidery and knitting just outside the Del’s on Water Street (it happened last summer!) or sing along to some sea shanties just outside Warren Town Hall (also happened!).

Attend one night, or all four. Park on a side street and take in all the art, or pedal along on your bike — most sites are right off the East Bay Bike Path. RIPTA’s Route 60 bus, which cruises into both towns, is another option.

Whatever mode of transportation you take, you’re sure to leave with a newfound sense of curiosity, a new skill or the perfect piece of pottery or artwork to make your house feel just a little more fun and funky, just like the East Bay itself.

Visit the website for a map of each Art Night, along with participating artists, shops and galleries. artnightbristolwarren.org

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Other Art Crawls

Gallery Night Providence

Rhode Island’s OG art crawl, Gallery Night Providence has been going strong since 1996. Tours take place the third Thursday of each month, March–November, from 5–9 p.m. You can hop onto a bus for a guided tour or explore the galleries at your own pace. gallerynight.org

Westerly Arts Crawl

Hit up galleries, art pop-ups and cute eateries in Westerly and neighboring Pawcatuck, Connecticut, during this crawl, which takes place the first Friday of each month, 5–8 p.m. westerly
artscrawl.com

Self-Guided Tours

The Avenue Concept

Download The Avenue Concept’s app to take a self-guided tour of the public murals and sculptures throughout the capital city commissioned by the nonprofit group. theavenueconcept.org

Studio Open Houses

Artist Open Studios

Visit the studios of artists in the northwestern part of the state, including Scituate, Foster and Glocester. Usually held in early November. artistopenstudios.org

Design Week RI Open Studios

Every year, DesignxRI hosts a week full of talks, events and open studios. This year’s celebration takes place Sept. 10–18. designxri.com

HopArts Studio Trail

Stroll through the studios of makers and artists based mainly in Charlestown, Hopkinton and Richmond. This year’s event is Oct. 17–18. hoparts.org

Jamestown Artists’ Open Studios

Artists on Conanicut Island open their studios to visitors, usually in early August. Hosted by the Jamestown Arts Center. jamestownartscenter.org

The Mill at Shady Lea Open House

Take in a variety of wares, from pottery and weaving to sculpture and photography, by artists working at North Kingstown’s Mill at Shady Lea on June 6–7. themillatshadylea.com

Open Valley

Head to Providence’s Valley District on May 2, noon–5 p.m., for a daylong dose of art, open studios, nonprofits, makers and more. 50sims.com/open-valley

South Coast Artists Open Studio Tours

Take in some salty breezes with your art during these open studio tours in Tiverton, Little Compton, and Westport and Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on July 18–19 and Aug. 15–16, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. southcoastartists.org