Summer is a busy time for the Wickford Art Association (WAA), based in North Kingston, Rhode Island near the Narragansett Bay. Between hosting the 63rd Wickford Art Festival on July 11 and 12 at nearby Wilson Park and two exhibitions at its home gallery, as well as several arts-related programs to participate in, WAA offers plenty of art activities for year-long residents and summer visitors alike.
Shari Weschler, the Wickford Art Association’s gallery and education coordinator, previously enlivened her own Coastal Contemporary Gallery in Newport, where she developed somewhat of a cult following due to her innovative programing. She said her goal, as both a coordinator and professional artist, is to offer engaging programming and exhibitions that inspire a diversity of genre, mediums, processes, as well as encouraging artists with a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to get involved.
“While we aim to reach new generations of creatives, we continue to honor our established and newer artist members,” Weschler said. “In addition to exhibiting a broader range of contemporary modes of expression, we remain true to the more traditional styles, subject matter and techniques. Each year WAA runs approximately eight juried calls for art, members’ exhibitions, and a Juried Artist Member Invitational.
“There are two local school exhibits (NK K-8 and NKHS Rising Artists) and we have a Scholarship Program open to high schools throughout the state of Rhode Island. Nominated students undergo a competitive jurying process, with four recipients awarded each spring. We also have a Rhode Island School of Design graduate that offers a home school course. For adults, we have an ‘Artist Helping Artists’ series and a Photo Arts group that meets monthly, and a lot of other classes from beginner to advanced.”