Many of our region’s galleries are now opening up for in-person viewing as well as maintaining an online presence. 

Galleries include: 

The Rhode Island Watercolor Society has their first art exhibit opening this Saturday, July 31 @ 12 pm with its National Watermedia Show. This exhibit will run through September 17th.  We visited recently for their Artist Member Showcase and were awed by the beautiful landscapes and coastal scenes of the artists. They are also open for limited in-person art classes. Hours are: Thursday & Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm. Masks are required.

The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative (PAC) currently has an exhibit, “Handwoven Wonderland,” available for viewing the next two weekends, July 31-August 1 and August 7-8 from 1 – 5 pm.  MORE INFO.

PAC will have a new exhibit opening, “The Unthemed Fall Juror Show” on September 9th in conjunction with the return of the Pawtucket Arts Festival. Hours TBA  MORE INFO.

Gallery 175, located in the Pawtucket Visitor Center, reopens Tuesday, August 3 with an exhibit by artist/gallery manager, Joan Hausruth entitled “Looking Back,” a twenty-year retrospective of print making. An artist reception is planned for Sunday, September 12 @ 1 – 2:30 pm. The exhibit will be up through September 30 and can be viewed during Visitor Center hours Sunday through Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm. MORE INFO.

We have also seen a few new galleries opening up of late including the Queer Art Collective (QAC) at the Pawtucket Armory Arts Center and Nick Paciorek at The Pitcher-Goff House.  

The Queer Art Collective puts queer artists at the forefront to create a space that does not tokenize sexuality; and its current exhibit, “When Color Fades: A Queer Riot Against Corporate Pride,” is a true testament to the truth of the artists’ stories. On a recent visit, we were drawn to the images as well as the stories the art conveyed. Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm.  In addition to visual art, the QAC also publishes a zine and will host monthly music events in the gallery space like the upcoming Nocturne Music Series this Saturday, July 31 @ 7 – 9:30 pm. VISIT THE GALLERY

The Pitcher-Goff house is open by appointment. This historic house as well as the restoration work of the building and Nick Paciorek’s paintings are worth the call to book an appointment. Paciorek is also creating a new event for the Pawtucket Arts Festival, Plein Air Pawtucket, September 10 – 12, where you can view 12 artists capturing the spirit of Pawtucket throughout downtown.

Other galleries in Pawtucket worth checking out include the Outsiders Collective – where artists of all abilities and creativity are welcome- and they have many wonderful pieces available to view or for purchase,  as well as Bryce Studio which is homebase for well-known Rhode Island realism artist, Mike Bryce. Both galleries are located in the Hope Artiste Village. 

Out in the Northwestern Corner of the Valley, the variety of antique shops in Chepachet and their collections are works of art themselves. However, one antique shop, Stone Mill, recently opened the Chepachet Art Gallery.  Focused on local artists, this gallery is worth the drive and many of the works on view are quite affordable. The shop itself and the outdoor environs are also worth browsing for interesting and eclectic treasures. Hours: Wednesdays – Sundays, 11 am – 5 pm

Another art gallery to check out in Chepachet is Lovett’s Fine Cigars & Arts, both galleries are managed by artist Douglas Lovett.

There are also several opportunities to create your own work! Art classes are offered by the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Outsider Collective or at one of the many “Paint and Vino” events held in various locations around the valley including our very own Paint and Vino studio/bar in downtown Pawtucket.

As much as we might appreciate art from afar through online exhibits, as with other creative mediums, there really is nothing like viewing the art in-person or meeting the artists where they create. Before visiting please be sure to check the gallery’s mask-wearing policy, but please come and VISIT OUR ART GALLERIES!   

Image:  Chepachet Art Gallery by Patti McAlpine