PAWTUCKET OPEN STUDIOS PRESS RELEASE
Our goal is to introduce the businesses and artisans of Pawtucket to the Rhode Island and regional business community. We will invite the Rhode Island and regional community to review your business and qualifications on the POS website. Your webpage (included in fee) includes a photo, 100 word description, a link to your website, email and contact information and a map locator link.
We are mailing out 7,500 personal invitations to Rhode Island Architects, Designers, Developers, Corporate Facilities Heads, Interior Decorators, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Art Galleries. The invitations will ask them to contact you directly and make appointments during the show. You can also send your mailing list to Modern Postcard for the discounted bulk rate.
7500 professional emails will go out to Architects, Designers, Developers, Corporate Facilities Heads, Interior Decorators, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Art Galleries in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The $75.00 fee includes the invitations, emails, web site, and directory information provided on the buildings. You must register online, pay your fee and fill out the profile sheet completely. Your photo and text, business category and contact info should be prepared ahead of time. The forms must be completed by April 15, 2008. You may also mail your payment to:
- Pawtucket Open Studios
- c/o Peter Giroux
- 558 Mineral Spring Avenue
- Pawtucket, RI 02860
- or drop your paperwork off at the POS mailbox in the foyer at 558 Mineral Spring Avenue.
Let’s work together to bring long lasting business relationships with the professional community of New England.
History
In 1999, the Rhode Island General Assembly officially designated a certain parcel of land in and around the historic Pawtucket downtown core as the Arts and Entertainment district. Rhode Island state law defined that this new 307-acre area was officially the largest arts district in the state at that time. Simultaneously, the City of Pawtucket hired Herb Weiss, its first full-time liaison to the artist population.
That same year, the City of Pawtucket participated in Convergence, a joint venture with other Rhode Island cities, as a way of celebrating the arts in the State. By 2003, the momentum was building and the City of Pawtucket launched its own arts festival. The Pawtucket Arts Festival was born and immediately became a vehicle to celebrate the many changes fueled by the arts throughout Pawtucket. Many once-empty mills were redeveloped from large empty spaces into smaller individualized units to accommodate the demand from artists, incubator industrial uses and computer related businesses.
At the same time, some small spaces were available but it was not until the big redevelopment push in Providence, which started with the Eagle Square Project, the new Route 195 interchange and bridge remodeling, that forced hundreds of artists out of their spaces. Pioneer developers like Robert Ball, owner of 545 Pawtucket Ave and 250 Esten Ave, realized the potential market and readily invested in Pawtucket redevelopment. These owners allowed artist friendly broker and management firms (i.e., Len Lavoie / Peter Giroux of RICIR) to begin renting out small spaces to the eagerly awaiting market. Demand was brisk and several new buyers followed Robert Ball, thus developing several other properties in the Pawtucket area.
The City of Pawtucket has utilized the arts as a powerful economic engine by drawing hundreds of artists into work spaces and live/work lofts throughout the City. Because of the arts, Pawtucket is experiencing one of the largest economic booms in the last forty years. The arts have the attention of Mayor James E. Doyle, who strongly believes that the “arts” are small businesses and artists should be able to make a living through their creativity and talents. The City works hard to ratchet up the level of customer service to businesses and artists.
For the last three years, Pat Zacks (Pawtucket Arts Collaborative/The Camera Werks) and Len Lavoie / Peter Giroux (RICIR) have energetically invested their time and hard work to revitalize the enthusiasm for the Open Studio concept.
In 2006, 52 positive business-minded individuals were willing to work together to make the open studio event happen. The 2006 September Open studios was a surprising success, followed by the phenomenal success of the December “holiday” open studio event.
PAWTUCKET OPEN STUDIOS
cordially invites the general public to:
Third Annual Holiday Pawtucket Open Studios Events 2008
“Pawtucket Open Studios” represents the diverse and talented artists, designers, artisans and small business owners working in the Pawtucket, Rhode Island mills. Over 100 member artists and artisans will open their studio doors during this 3-day event. Discover paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry and performance arts and much more. This event is held in conjunction with the |
Contact us:Peter Giroux, RICIR (Rhode Island Commercial Industrial Realty) |
IOLab's Ted Peffer talks to Jacquelin Ott , Fall 2006 |
David Witbeck's studio very busy during the Fall 2006 show |
Donald Gerola's studio is an artwork to behold, Fall 2006 |
Eric Bogdahn, carver of signs and mantels, Fall 2006 |
Nadia Mahfuz, classical realism, Fall 2006 |
John Hurley, painter discusses his works, Fall 2006 |
Arthur Moore, encaustic paintings, Fall 2006 |
Jason Fong, chess set, |
Young admirer, |
Anne Cerullo, Potter, |
Ronnie White, painter/mixed media, Holiday 2006 |
Caroline Unruh textiles, |
Chelsea E. Bird Designs, jewelry inspired by natural forms, |
Kreatelier, Pernilla Frazier's and Line Daems's work marries |