If you haven’t been to downtown Pawtucket lately, it’s time to make a special trip.
That’s right. Pawtucket. For over seven years, the city has been getting a makeover — trying to revitalize and reinvent itself through the arts.
Today, more than 500 artists live and work in downtown Pawtucket, and the city proudly boasts a vibrant arts district — evidenced by places such as the acclaimed Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre; the Arts Exchange, a new center for arts and arts education; and Stone Soup Café, a coffee house with folk music every Saturday night.
And it doesn’t stop there. Future plans include transforming the old Jabbour Electronics building into the Rhode Island Antiques Mall, where 100 to 150 antiques dealers will sell their wares.
“This will not be a flea market,” said Herbert Weiss, the city’s Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer. “These will be upscale antiques dealers selling one-of-a-kind antiques.”
In its heyday, Pawtucket was an energetic textile-mill town and proclaimed to be the “Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.” But, like many New England towns, the mills closed leaving behind huge empty spaces.
Beginning in 1999 with state legislation designating 307 acres of historic Pawtucket as an Arts and Entertainment District, vacant industrial and commercial properties have been purchased, renovated, and turned into artistic spaces. Riverfront mills became work studios, luxury condos, and artists’ lofts.
Gail Ahlers, founder of Ahlers Designs, moved her studio into the Hope-Webbing building in Pawtucket when her studio in an East Providence mill was being turned into a condo.
“I see Pawtucket as the SoHo of New England,” Ms. Ahlers said. “Pawtucket really understands that artists are small businesses and it’s small businesses that really drive the economy.”
Mr. Weiss said hundreds of artists like Ms. Ahlors began moving to Pawtucket, where they were greeted with income-tax incentives designed specifically for them and affordable live/work space.
“We’re reenergizing the economy through the arts and it’s working,” she said. “The artists fit quite well in Pawtucket and we want to help them. There’s a buzz around New England that Pawtucket is the place to be if you’re in the arts.”
Pawtucket is celebrating its artists through Sept. 16 with the 9th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival — a citywide showcase of visual and performing arts, workshops, music, theater, and dance performances. Festival locations are throughout the city, with main events happening at the Blackstone Visitors Center, Slater Memorial Park, Slater Mill, Pawtucket Armory, and the School Street Pier.
Attend the Festival Gala on Sept. 7 and enjoy a “Taste of Pawtucket” with samplings from some of the city’s finest restaurants. Listen to lively Celtic music by The Gnomes and the son of the “King of Zydeco,” C.J. Chenier, and the Red Hot Louisiana Band.
Later that day, a Family Fun Night includes activities such as a rock-climbing wall, face painting, a bouncy house, and an inflatable obstacle course. Shrek the Third will be shown at 8:30 p.m. at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center Theatre.
On Sept. 8, the Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival will be held at the School Street Pier, where teams will race on the Blackstone. Studios will open Sept. 8-9, offering an opportunity to meet the artists in the renovated mills. One of the most popular events, RI Philharmonic Pops in the Park, is Sept. 15.
“This festival has grown by leaps and bounds through the generous support of our business community,” Mr. Weiss said. “We employ hundreds of artists through this arts festival. We really want our artists to be able to make a living through their creative talents. It really embraces the arts as a whole.”
For more, visit www.pawtucketartsfestival.org. | 
