Artists New and Established Gather for The Foundry Show’s 42nd Year

The Foundry Artists Association Holiday Show, one of Rhode Island's premier holiday art events, features over 65 professional, regional artists. The show is held at the historic Pawtucket Armory located at 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI and the 42nd annual show kicks off with an Opening Night Reception on Thursday, December 5th from 5-9.

 

Admission and Parking are free. There is a handicap accessible entrance at the rear of the building, as well as handicap facilities in the Armory. Major credit cards are accepted on all purchases. A silent auction showcasing items donated by the Association artists is a highlight of the first weekend. Proceeds of the auction will go toward supporting the Save One Soul Animal Rescue League, a non-profit, volunteer driven and foster-based dog rescue organization based in Rhode Island. Their mission lies in their commitment to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals faced with homelessness, neglect and abandonment. Founded in 2014, SOSARL has facilitated over 4800 adoptions, over 6500 spay/neuters and hosted over 250 events to share their mission and engage the public. Their dogs primarily come from other foster based and shelter partners in  the southern US. Through their unwavering commitment, they aim to save one soul at a time, providing deserving animals with a second chance and loving home.

 

In addition to the funds raised through the auction for Save One Soul Animal Rescue League, we will continue our tradition of helping those in need in our community by collecting canned goods and cash donations for The Rhode Island Food Bank throughout the two weeks of the show.

During its long tenure, this popular and much anticipated New England holiday tradition has offered patrons the opportunity to view and purchase distinctive, high quality work from over 65 regional artists selected to participate through jury selection. Categories of fine art and crafts range from art glass to wood and include painting, sculpture, metal, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics and photography. The Foundry Show is unique in that it is planned and operated entirely by the artist members. Each artist has a task to complete to make this event a success; we are running the electrical wiring, hanging direction signs, posting to social media, creating magazine ads, checking customers out in the store and so much more. It is a group effort and a labor of love.

The Foundry Artists Association was created over four decades ago by a community of artists who opened their I-95 Foundry Building Studios in downtown Providence to the public during the holiday season. In 1995, when the original Foundry Building was converted to office space, its artists moved to studios throughout the region.  The Show found its new home in the Pawtucket Armory building, a castle-like landmark built in 1894, which formerly housed the RI National Guard. The Foundry Artists Show now takes place in the beautifully renovated former drill hall and it continues to provide a unique opportunity to experience one of the area’s greatest resources - its artists.