Fall Out of Summer Festival set to celebrate 7th year

Posted 9/17/14

Artists’ Exchange and Gateways to Change Inc. are pleased to announce the seventh annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival to be held on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lots …

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Fall Out of Summer Festival set to celebrate 7th year

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Artists’ Exchange and Gateways to Change Inc. are pleased to announce the seventh annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival to be held on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lots surrounding Artists’ Exchange and Citizens Bank on Rolfe Square in Cranston.

The festival will feature live music and theater, artisans, art activities and contests, food trucks and more. Admission is free for kids 12 and under, with a regular admission of $1 to benefit Artists’ Exchange’s programs. New this year will be a Beer and Wine Garden featuring beer from Rapscallion Brewery.

In the event of rain, the event will take place Sunday, Sept. 28.

Artisans will showcase a variety of items, including but not limited to jewelry, clothing, paintings, pottery and upcycled and recycled items.

“Our musical stage is packed with talented performers from around the state. New this year we have the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the music in our new beer garden. Visiting the food area is also a must with Del’s Lemonade, Paco’s Tacos, Mi Tastee Jamaica Me Crazy, Elwood’s Dog House, Pizza, Auntie’s Kettle Corn, and our own sausage and peppers all complemented by Erm’s Cupcakes. I’m hungry just listing them. Intermingled within the event, look for break-out theatrical performances,” said Elaine McKenna-Yeaw, director at Artist Exchange.

Live musical performances by bands and artists influenced by folk, rock, blues and beyond will include returning artists such as Steve Allain, Red Ed and the Undead, Peacewise, Sheez Late and Antonio Forte. First-time festival performers include Cranston local Chris McCormick. Rolfe Square’s own Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio will also return to showcase the talents of their young performers.

There will be an unveiling of a collaborative art piece made by 2014 Artists’ Exchange Summer Art Camp participants. This year’s piece is a series of self-portraits. The piece will be displayed in Artists’ Exchange’s main gallery.

“Everyone has played Jenga at least once in their lives, but they have never seen one this big! Look for it in our kid’s zone, which will also host our popular face painting booth and a giant rainbow activity area and, back by popular demand, giant bowling. I see a theme here,” said Emily Urban, marketing director at Artists’ Exchange.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, art contests and raffles. The Street Art Contest encourages participants to transform a square of pavement into a two-dimensional masterpiece. Entries will be judged by festival attendees, and winners will receive a free class in art, music or theater at Artists’ Exchange.

Attendees may also play original, fun and “artsified” carnival style games such as “Salvador Dali’s Moustaches” or “Pollock Paint Party.”

“Artists’ Exchange Fall Out of Summer Festival is a lovely family day filled with a new creative adventure around every corner. One of the first crisp fall days of the year, our festival is packed with kids anxious to pick a plump pumpkin to transform with paint and brush. Finer artists can focus on painting on the street. For kids who have enjoyed our ‘artsified carnival games’ in the past, we have invented a few new ones for this year. I won’t divulge the surprises – they will have to come see for themselves,” said Karen Bouchard, director of arts programming at Artists’ Exchange.

Adding to the artful fare will be pumpkin painting and an ice cream sundae station offered by Characters Café, which is housed inside Artists’ Exchange’s newest venue, Theatre 82.

Artists’ Exchange’s own in-house theatre companies – Epic Theatre Company, OUT LOUD Theatre Company and Burbage Theatre Company – will offer preview performances throughout the festival. Attendees may also see a preview of Artists’ Exchange’s annual upcoming production of “A Christmas Carol.”

A 25 percent discount will be offered on all fall class registrations processed during the event. Tickets to “A Christmas Carol” and other Theatre 82 shows will also be on sale.

Increasing in popularity each year, the festival brought in close to 3,000 attendees last year. For more information, contact Emily Urban at 490-9475 or visit www.artists-exchange.org.

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