About the Festival

History – 2003

Our 2003 Pawtucket Arts Festival reached a new level in regards of programming and funding.

At the Opening Gala, on Sept. 5th, French Canadian band, "Le Vent Du Nord" played for hundreds outside while Providence Tango gave an indoor tango demonstration teaching the audience to dance. More than 40 local restaurants donated enough food and drink to feed over 1,000 attendees.

Also, at the Opening Gala the crowds looked at dozens of artwork at a juried mixed media art exhibit, organized by the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative along with over 100 photographs entered in the City's 5th annual photo contest, "People, Places and Things in Pawtucket's Neighborhood," organized by The Camera Werks. At the gala many visited the "Traditions in Sculpture," a figurative sculpture exhibit presented by Pawtucket-based Kane Sculpture studios. Eighteen sculptors from six states exhibited in PAF's sculpture show, exhibiting 38 pieces valued at $783,200.

On September 6th , over 15,000 came to the 4th Annual dragonboat Race at the School Street pier. Included in this exciting all day race is traditional Chinese arts and music, courtesy of the Taiwanese government. At this event the Mayors of Providence, Cranston, and Pawtucket competed against each other with Pawtucket taking home the glass trophy, donated to the Arts Festival by internationally acclaimed Steve Weinberg, a Pawtucket-based artist.

On September 7th , over 700 art lovers took a trolley tour of artist studios in six beautifully transformed Pawtucket mills to see dazzling one-of-a-kind artwork and to meet the artists.

• From September 13th and 14th , the first annual "Stone Soup Folk Fest" and fine arts show was held at Slater Memorial park. Crowds listened to a great line up of folk singers, including Paul Geremia, Jack Hardy Band, Suzzy Maggie Roche, and Lucy Kaplansky, Brooks Williams, Cliff Eberhardt, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem and Vance Gilbert. Over 20 artists sold one-of-a-kind artwork at Arts Fest 2003, within walking distance from the stage.

Also at Slater Park, bagpipe lovers came to listen to the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums performed. Families came to listen to storytelling by Nelodie Thompson.

• From September 10th and 15th , Mirror Image sponsored a six-night film festival (with internationally-known filmmaker Michael Corrente attending on September 10th .)

On September 18th , a poetry reading by poet Norah Pollard, daughter of Pawtucket jockey John "Red" Pollard, who is immortalized in this year's blockbuster hit "Seabiscuit," was held at the City's Visitor Center. Greg Abate taught the history of jazz through his playing of musical instruments.

For folk music lovers, Stone Soup, one of the oldest coffeehouses in New England, began its 23rd season at the Arts Center of the Boys' and Girls' Club. Stone Soup sponsored programs were also held on September 13th and September 20th.

As in 2002, capping off the Arts Festival was the spectacular performance on Saturday evening, September 20th , by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. At the conclusion of the performance there was a 10-minute dazzling display of fireworks.

Ending the 2003 Pawtucket Arts Festival, winners of the City photo contest were announced with the winning photos appearing in the City's 2004 calendar. Approximately 132 Pawtucket students, 5th and 6th graders, at two elementary schools participated in this contest. After a professional photographer went into their classroom and gave them a lesson on photography, the students were given a disposable camera to take photographs of their neighborhoods. Each student entered a photograph into the contest.

Also, the Blackstone Valley Heritage Concert Series playing classical music at the Pawtucket Congregational Church. As in previous years, the winning photos will be placed in the City's calendar. Some of last years winning photos were taken by Pawtucket elementary students.