Made in Warren is a boutique that carries the work of local artists, which is also run by the artists themselves. At any given time, they have works from 35-45 artists. We talked to Diana Cole, a stained glass artist and member of MIW, about the store’s unique mission and how to incorporate more local art into your life.
How did so many artists band together to start Made in Warren?
We evolved out of a pop-up store, Mudstone Artist Annex, which opened for the month of December in 2014 and by 2015 offered unique artworks for gifts. When the opportunity opened up to rent the beautiful space we now are in, the full-time store was renamed Made in Warren, Artist Cooperative. We offer unique artwork by over 40 artists from Southeastern New England. As a handmade-in-RI shop, all purchases are tax-free, and because it is an
artist-run non-profit, all profits of sold work go directly to the artists in the cooperative. This is our third year, and we recently won Providence Journal Readers’ Choice for Best Gift Shop in Rhode Island.
Art Night is so important to create community in Warren and Bristol and promote the wealth of art that takes place. There is a renaissance happening on Main Street in Warren. In the past couple of months, three new stores have opened. In April we had a Main Street Stroll featuring 12 stores within three blocks that offer artsy gifts or eclectic music. The street was filled with strollers from the community.
Here’s the hard question: how do you pick out art for someone else as a gift?
Personally, I think that gift giving is an opportunity to have an exchange between two people. As the giver I should love the gift I am giving. And I should have some imagination about what might be unexpected and unique in the eyes of the person I am giving to. When something is handmade, it can be treasured for years.
Made in Warren
476 Main Street, Warren
401-310-0559
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here