About the Festival

In the Press

Slater Park gets folksy this weekend for Arts Fest
By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN
The TImes (Pawtucket) 09/14/2007

PAWTUCKET - After giving people a "taste" of the city last weekend, a feast for the eyes and ears is planned for Saturday and Sunday in Slater Memorial Park as part of the 2007 Pawtucket Arts Festival celebration.

On both days, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., there will an Arts Fest and the Stone Soup Folk Fest will be held in the park, located off Route 1A in Pawtucket. The events are free and open to the public.

The Arts Fest will feature over 80 artisans showcasing paintings, jewelry, photographs and other unique, handmade crafts. Booths will be set up on the grounds over looking Friendship Gardens.

As part of the event, artists from Pawtucket's Dew Claw Studios will present demonstrations in Raku, the ancient Japanese firing technique. Visitors may purchase a pre-made clay bowl and learn to glaze and fire it on site.

Diane Agostini, program coordinator, said the Arts Fest, now in its ninth year, has grown considerably. "Last year, we had 59 vendors, and this year, we have 84. I've even had to turn a few people away because there is not enough space," she said.

Agostini said that to ensure a high level of quality, participating artists are asked to submit photos or slides of their work, which are screened by a review panel. She said she is starting to see repeat vendors, "so they must be making sales," she added.

In addition to the arts and crafts booths, the Stone Soup Folk Fest will run from 1 to 5 p.m. both days, offering a terrific line-up of musicians on a stage near Daggett Farm.

Saturday's performers include: the Dave Rowe Trio, Magnolia Cajun Band and Santa Mamba, while Sunday will feature Minor Swing, Jerimoth Hill and Forever Young.

On Saturday evening, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the entertainment moves into a gentler gear, with "Pops in the Park" (rain date is Sunday at 5:30 p.m.). The much-anticipated performance of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, led by resident conductor Francisco Noya, is being sponsored by the Pawtucket Teachers' Alliance.

A glittering display of fireworks over the pond will cap off the evening. In a recent press release, Pawtucket Mayor James Doyle noted that the attendance at the Arts Fest activities and the "Pops in the Park" has grown steadily, with an estimated 8,000 people last year.

Doyle thinks everyone will agree that "great musical entertainment combined with a 10-minute dazzling fireworks show at dusk after that performance is a great way to end an evening."

Thanks to a $15,000 donation from the teachers' union, the city has been able to bring the Rhode Island Philharmonic to the park for the past six years.

"This large gift ties in with our philosophy of supporting activities that enrich the lives of Pawtucket youth and their families," noted Mary Ann Kaveny, president of the Pawtucket Teachers' Alliance.

And the relationship continues: It was just announced Wednesday that the Alliance has unanimously voted to approve a $15,000 donation to continue sponsorship of "Pops in the Park" for next year.

In conjunction with Sunday's events, the Rhode Island Watercolor Society is hosting the opening of the 14th Annual National Watermedia Competition" in its gallery in the park's former boathouse.

Mary Lou Moore, RIWS gallery director, said that the National Watermedia Competition is the RIWS's most prestigious show of the year. Over 250 artists from around the U.S. entered the competition, with juror and nationally-recognized artist Gerald Brommer choosing 74 entries for display. Winning artists will receive cash prizes.

The gallery will be open from 1 to 4 on Saturday (later if concert takes place) and 1 to 5 on Sunday.

Also on Sunday from 2-4 p.m., over at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center, Mayor Doyle will be announcing the winners of the 2007 photo contest entitled "Pawtucket: A City in Focus--Paws (or Pause) in Pawtucket.

The contest is sponsored by the city of Pawtucket and The Camera Werks, Visitor Center, 175 Main St. Times photographer Butch Adams is one of a panel of judges that also includes Richard Benjamin, Paul Darling, Aaron Usher, Jean Duffy and Carl Keitner.

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