All Pawtucket All The Time

Suggested events for the Weekend of January 10-11, 2009

Over the January 10-11, 2009 weekend spend some time in Rhode Island’s Blackstone River Valley to experience visual perspectives focused upon its social heritage, its artistic creativity and exciting places to capture images on film, video or canvas.

The Northern Rhode Island region is ideal for residents and visitors to discover in the midst of winter, especially with the area’s many country villages, natural landscapes and cultural points of interest.

Chief Executives of the Valley

Rhode Island has a proud political heritage that has been ingrained into everyday life since the state was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams.  Each era is reflected through exquisite portraits of the Chief Executives who were elected into office and prominently displayed.

As part of an ongoing effort to restore the paintings and fixtures of the Rhode Island’s opulent State House, the Museum of Work & Culture, located at Market Square, Woonsocket, RI, presents a special exhibit Governors on Tour at the museum from January 11 – March 15, 2009.

These actual portraits from varied Rhode Island artists are being meticulously restored and being put on tour before being returned to the corridors of power at the State House. The exhibit at the Museum of Work & Culture presents the Governors that were elected from Northern Rhode Island from the Colonial era to the end of the 20th century.

On a historical note, since the present day State Constitution was adopted in 1842, seven Governors who were natives or residents of the Blackstone River Valley were elected. These Governors were:

Alfred H. Littlefield, of Lincoln 1880-1883

John W. Davis, of Pawtucket 1887-1888 and 1890-1891

Lucius F. C. Garvin, of Cumberland 1903-1905

James H. Higgins, of Lincoln 1907-1909

Aram H. Pothier, of Woonsocket 1909-1915 and 1925-1928

J. Howard McGrath, of Woonsocket 1941-1945

Lincoln C. Almond, of Lincoln 1995-2003

For more details on the exhibit contact the museum at 401-769-9675 or go to the website at www.rihs.org Details on the Governors on Tour portrait restoration project is available by contacting the RI State Council on the Arts at 401-222-3880 or on their website at www.arts.ri.gov

Creations on Canvas

Another location to view original artworks is the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, with their gallery located at the Boat House next to the pond inside Slater Memorial Park, near the Looff Carousel, off Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

Since 1896, the artist group is one of Rhode Island’s oldest arts organizations that present creative watercolor and pastel paintings through several exhibits and juried art shows year round.

More information on the group and show schedule are available by calling 401-728-1876.

Watchable Wildlife

For those wanting to create their wintertime visions through photography, video or paintings, Blackstone River Valley is the ideal spot for capturing the season’s perspectives.

Visitors are welcome to experience Watchable Wildlife with a self guided itinerary to fantastic natural wonders that are habitat for wild animals and plants, with the landscape ranging from pine forests, nature trails and wetlands.

Check out Blackstone Valley DeTours for suggested destinations in northwestern Rhode Island.  A FREE copy of the Watchable Wildlife RI DeTour can be downloaded online at www.tourblackstone.com/detours or can be picked up at any Blackstone River Valley Visitor Center.