Join The Collaborative, Warren’s all-volunteer, nonprofit arts organization, for its one year anniversary fundraising event the weekend of March 24-26 at the gallery space!
The weekend will consist of three days of reflection and fun including live music, art sales, a t-shirt release, a tiki toast, and the much anticipated Student Art Exhibit: Self.
In March 2016, we opened with a showcase of work from six, established local artists, a four person board with a list of ideas, and a budget that would allow it to remain open for at least a few months. Overwhelming support from the local community during the opening and in subsequent months provided the necessary support The Collaborative needed to continually offer a variety of exposure to the arts.
On display will be founding artists: Janet Moscarello of Janet Moscarello Photography, Sandy MacDonald of Sandy MacDonald Studios, William Schaff, Nate Shaw, and Adam Tracy, of Dubs Deep. Also in the gallery are: Jennifer Daltry, Jennifer Hrabota Lesser, Nathan Murrell, Lelia Byron, and Christopher Roe. The gallery had also expanded to include handmade wares and crafts from Sweet Trade, Art of the Gem, Faye Silvia of Recedentian, and Elwood Donnelly.
In its first year, The Collaborative held two major events, the 2nd Annual Warren Folks’ Fest (it was actually the first one), and the Afterlight, a late November holiday celebration. They also hosted a monthly Figure Drawing workshop and poetry night: Words at the Fort. Monthly performances from several of the area’s talented musicians, including Will Houlihan, Ian Fitzgerald, The Vox Hunters, Krista Baroni, and many, many more filled the small space with an eclectic mix of styles for all in attendance. Other events included a Printmaking workshop, a Halloween-themed storytelling night, a CD release reception for folk duo, Atwater-Donnelly, and the launch of the first issue of The Warren Zine.
These events will continue, and in addition, The Collaborative is designing a Summer Arts Camp for youth in coordination with the Warren Recreation Department, will begin to offer a variety of evening art classes for adults, and hope to publish the first volume of Graphia, a journal of art and poetry. Plus, the 2nd, 2nd Annual Warren Folks’ Fest will be held in late July and there are still plans for a parade.
The three day event will kick off on Friday evening, March 24th at 7pm, with a live performance from Collaborative house musician Josh Grabert and his band The Vamps, continue with an open house anniversary celebration and fundraising event all day and night on Saturday, March 25th, and end with Self, the Student Art Exhibition on Sunday March 26th, starting at 1pm. Self is an autobiographical exhibit featuring high school student artists from all over Rhode Island.
All events are free and open to the public.
Proceeds and donations will help fund The Collaborative’s continued mission to “provide an environment for creatives that supports, encourages and celebrates the diverse talents within Rhode Island, giving artists an opportunity to network, create, exhibit and sell their work.”