An Evening of Fine Art, Food, and Friends

Eighth annual celebration of art in the East Bay kicks off in April

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Bristol and Warren have a known, age-old “friendly feud” that seeps into almost every aspect of life in the East Bay, but there are occasions when it’s put aside and the two come together to make what neither could achieve on their own. Art Night is one of those.

On the last Thursday of each month, April through August, dozens of art displays and exhibits are showcased in both towns. Demonstrations, culinary art, live music, and much more are free and open to the public. Visitors can walk, bike, drive, take a guided trolley tour or the #60 RIPTA bus that rolls through, enjoying the change in weather as the snow melts and daffodils poke their way through the flower patches on the sidewalks.

“Several businesses have been involved in Art Night for many years, such as the Bristol Art Museum, Blithewold, Made in Warren, and the East Bay Chamber of Commerce,” says Darby Pontes, co-chair of the events.


Art Night is incredibly important to local artists like Cait Marchetti, who specializes in enamel jewelry. She started participating in March of 2017, after she moved to her studio at 30 Cutler Street, a community for art and business in Warren. “I’ve been attending the event since 2010, when I was 16,” she says.

“I’ve always been interested in promoting the local creative community, and try to get involved in projects and efforts to do so whenever I can.”

But Art Night isn’t simply limited to art: “This past season, Art Night partnered with local restaurants to promote the East Bay’s culinary fare; Bywater, Aidan’s, and The Statesman participated,” Darby shares.

Giving back to the community and partnership with the towns, in order to preserve and beautify each special space, is also incredibly important to the folks who organize Art Night. Most recently, last July, they collaborated with The Warren Preservation Society to host a pop-up Stereopticon show at the Historic Warren Armory, and in August, they commissioned a local artist and one of The Collaborative founders, Adam Tracy, to install a mural on State Street in Warren.

This year’s kickoff will take place on Thursday, April 25, at Linden Place in Bristol. Make sure to get there early – this year’s events are sure to be packed!

Art Night Bristol Warren

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