NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The anticipated days of artistic celebration at the 61st Annual Wickford Art Festival are quickly approaching, when Wilson Park will host an open-air gallery for 200 artists and their diverse creations. On July 13 and 14, various artists and artistic mediums, ranging from sculpture, to painting, to woodwork, will be spotlighted for guests to relish.
North Kingstown’s display of art will host a vast amount returning artists who hope to continue promoting and showcasing their passions. Several of these veterans are generational artists with parents or grandparents who once stood in their very shoes at Wilson Park, according to Festival Director Ainslie Daly. Others, however, will face new grounds, displaying their unique creations for the foreign eyes of the Wickford crowd.
Although new, this experience issues newcomers plenty excitement as they continue building their own platforms and honing their crafts, many of whom have participated in only enough art shows to count on one hand.
Charles Silvia, Amy Keller and Luke Orchardo are among three debut artists who will engage with art admirers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the days of the festival. Each Rhode Island based, the three novices were selected out of 305 applications, and hold high hopes to bring their work to larger light.
Silvia, a custom furniture and homeware-maker for Craft Woodwork in East Greenwich, is excited for this new opportunity. While he has worked with his custom furniture business for only a year and a half, he spent his childhood surrounded by the craft, thanks to having a carpenter as a father.
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