What’s Happening 2008
OCTOBER 2008
11 RISD’s Alumni Sale on Benefit Street is a fabulous array of items designed and created by alumni both nationally and internationally. It’s your chance to find one-of-a-kind fine art, home accessories, greeting cards, jewelry, painting, furniture, rugs, clothing, photographs, glass and ceramics. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine!) Contact Alan Tracy at atracy@risd.edu or call 454-6618.
24 The annual Fine Furnishings and Fine Crafts Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center is a wonderful showcase for fine artists and craftsmen from across the country. You’ll find beautifully handcrafted furniture, as well as handcrafted ceramics and glass items for the home. The show occupies 72,000 square feet and 325 booths featuring the work of more than 250 artisans from across North America. Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p. m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults: one day $10, any two days $15. Children under twelve free (1 Sabin St., Providence, 841-9201; finefurnishingsshows.com). Through October 26.
NOVEMBER
28–29 Come and browse artwork by eighty artists and craftspeople working in all media, including jewelry, wood, stained glass, soft sculpture, pottery, floral and Christmas items as part of the 18th annual Ocean State Artisans Holiday Craft Festival. Wide range of prices. $2 admission fee or $1 plus canned food that goes to the Rhode Island Food Bank. Family-friendly show complete with cafeteria. Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community College of Rhode Island, Knight Campus, 400 East Ave., Warwick, 647-7848, oceanstateartisans.com.
28 As the holiday season approaches, you’ll discover a plethora of arts and crafts shows to find just the right finishing touches for your home. The South County Art Association’s Holiday Pottery and Art Sale (SCAA Gallery, Kingston, 783-2195, southcountyart.org) features a range of must-haves including assorted bowls, plates, pots and ornaments in clay, as well as small paintings, drawings and photography. Through December 14.
DECEMBER
5 Another great source for artwork, furniture, linens and much more is the Foundry’s 26th Annual Holiday Art Show in Pawtucket (Pawtucket Armory Building, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, foundryshow.com). A rare collection of ceramics, handmade books, hats and handbags, organic food and body products, glass, jewelry, illustrations and paintings, giftware and home accessories by more than sixty artists. Bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry. Free admission and parking. Credit cards accepted. Through December 14.
6 Are you dreaming of sugar plum fairies? How about the perfect antique nutcracker or other decorative items to bring out the classic holiday spirit in your living room? You’re sure to find it—along with a wide variety of antique furniture, linens, books and more—at the Southern New England Antiques Dealers Association’s Annual Holiday Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Greenwich Ave., Warwick, 647-7780, sneada.org/shows.htm.) Designers, new collectors, home decorators and serious collectors will find a vast array of items to choose from.
13 RISD’s Alumni Sale at the Rhode Island Convention Center (1 Sabin St., Providence) offers a fabulous array of items designed and created by alumni nationally and internationally. It’s your chance to find one-of-a-kind fine art, home accessories, greeting cards, jewelry, paintings, furniture, rugs, clothing, photographs, glass and ceramics. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine!) Admission: $7; children under fourteen and current RISD students (with ID) are free. Contact Alan Tracy at atracy@risd.edu or call 454-6618.
JANUARY 2009
23 Everything for the home and garden can be found under one giant roof at the Spring Boston Home Show (Bayside Expo Center, Boston, Massachussetts, the bostonhomeshow.com). One-stop browsing for appliances, zone heating systems and everything in between. Includes seminars on wall treatments, gardening, maintaining a lawn, building a log home and much, much more. Through January 25.
FEBRUARY
7 The Spring Bull Gallery in Newport has an intriguing exhibit this month entitled “Annual Fakes and Forgeries,” with interpretations by local artists of old and new masters. Some are tongue in cheek; some are very good copies! Opening night is Saturday, February 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the show is also part of Newport’s Gallery Night on Thursday, February 12, where Newport’s art galleries all remain open until 8 p.m. The exhibition runs until March 4. Spring Bull Gallery and Studio, 55 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 849-9166, springbullgallery.com.
19 Gardening tips in February? That’s right, the 16th Annual Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show is an indoor event that will help get you ready for planting season. Its spectacular 150,000-square-foot setting (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, 272-0980, flowershow.com) with its “Gardens of the World” theme will take you on a journey to distant and exotic places — from the Australian outback to Mexico, South America into Tuscany and Spain and much, much more. Gardens, lectures, demonstrations and more than 200 garden-related vendor booths make this event well worth the trip. Through February 22.
MARCH
25 Whether you are building a house, remodeling, or searching for the latest products, services and technologies to make your life easier, the Rhode Island Home Show is the perfect place to start (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, 458-6000, ribahomesho.com). “Think Green” is the theme with all manner of eco tips from area experts on green design, recycling your current furniture and making your home more energy efficient. Featuring more than 300 exhibitors, this is the largest consumer home show in southern New England. Through March 29.
APRIL
4 The Spring Bull Gallery in Newport has art to deceive the eye. “April Fools Exhibit” is a one-of-a-kind exhibition that’s a must-see. Opening night is Saturday, April 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the show is also part of Newport’s Gallery Night on Thursday, April 9, where Newport’s art galleries all remain open until 8 p.m. The show runs until April 30. Spring Bull Gallery and Studio, 55 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 849-9166, springbullgallery.com.
MAY
1 Get a jump on May flowers this year at the spring garden extravaganza Brewster in Bloom (Drummer Boy Park, Brewster, Massachusetts, brewsterinbloom.org). Through May 3.
2 RISD’s Alumni Sale on Benefit Street is a fabulous array of items designed and created by alumni both nationally and internationally. It’s your chance to find one-of-a-kind fine art, home accessories, greeting cards, jewelry, paintings, furniture, rugs, clothing, photographs, glass and ceramics. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine!) Contact Alan Tracy at atracy@risd.edu or call 454-6618.
2 The Spring Bull Gallery in Newport puts the garden at the forefront. Its “Newport in Bloom” exhibit features gorgeous floral artwork and dreamy landscapes. Opening night is Saturday May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the show is also part of Newport’s Gallery Night on Thursday, May 14, where Newport’s art galleries all remain open until 8 p.m. The show runs until May 31. Spring Bull Gallery and Studio, 55 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 849-9166, springbullgallery.com.
12 One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Half the fun in furnishing your new home is ferreting out the treasure. Wear comfortable shoes and hit the stalls at the May Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts (brimfieldshow.com). Traffic getting into town can be a challenge, but it’s worth the wait. Through May 17.
23 What good is a bed without a gorgeous handmade quilt? Or a table without hand painted dishes and one-of-a-kind glassware? Find the right accoutrements at Gaspee Days Arts and Crafts Festival, which features the wares of 150 to 200 craft exhibitors along Narragansett Parkway in Warwick (Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, 781-1772, gaspee.com). Through May 25.
Note: Dates and details are subject to change. Call ahead to avoid disappointment.
