OP-ED

Bringing arts and entertainment to Warwick

Lesley Lambert
Posted 11/6/14

For over ten years the Artists’ Exchange has been creating a community of artists from all walks of life. With nine art studios, eight private studios, two theaters and two galleries Artists’ …

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OP-ED

Bringing arts and entertainment to Warwick

Posted

For over ten years the Artists’ Exchange has been creating a community of artists from all walks of life. With nine art studios, eight private studios, two theaters and two galleries Artists’ Exchange’s does it all. For the public, they offer art camps and classes, theater productions and space rental, community events, private parties studio rentals, and so much more. As a child company of the non-profit Gateways to Change, the Artists’ Exchange offers art, theater, and music classes and programs for all community members including adults with disabilities.

The Artists’ Exchange’s expanding programs have been so successful that space has become tight in their 10,000 square foot building, located at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston, and they are ready to expand. The vacant Christopher Rhodes School in Warwick is 46,000 square feet of dreams and aspirations for Artists’ Exchange.

Earlier this year Artists’ Exchange submitted a proposal to rent from the City of Warwick the Christopher Rhodes School, which is located behind Aldrich Junior High School on Post Road. It came as a surprise to both the City and Artists’ Exchange that they were the only group to submit a proposal. The Rhodes School closed its doors in 2008 and has sat vacant and vulnerable to vandalism and decay ever since. It has become a liability to the City and an eyesore to the residents of that neighborhood.

Artists’ Exchange proposed renting the school from the City for one dollar a year. In turn, the Artists’ Exchange will be responsible for all renovations and maintenance as well as offer free memberships to Warwick City residents. A membership gets discounts on studio rentals, classes, birthday parties and special events, such as the gingerbread house decorating contest.

On October 15, Artists’ Exchange presented a draft lease to the Warwick City Council for review. The proposal was well received by a majority of the council members and the audience. There were a few lingering questions the Council would like to have addressed before accepting the proposal. Most of these were addressed in the proposal. The City of Warwick will benefit greatly from a new expanded space for the Artists’ Exchange. As a resident of the Lakewood neighborhood, I believe this is a partnership made in heaven for the Exchange and the City of Warwick.

The Warwick City Council will meet again on November 12, 2014 at 7 p.m. to make a final ruling on the property. I urge any resident who shares a love for the arts and community to attend the meeting in support of the Artists’ Exchange.

For more information on the Exchange, visit www.artists-exchange.org.

(Lesley Lambert is a resident in the Lakewood neighborhood and a member of the Artist Exchange.)

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