Art Exhibit Celebrates Women’s History Month

Women Artists to be Showcased at Pawtucket City Hall Gallery

Pawtucket – Commemorating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment and Women’s History Month, Pawtucket’s Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture (PCAC) celebrates the work of women artists of Northern Rhode Island.  Come join us and meet the participating artists at the Opening Reception scheduled for Thursday, March 19, from 5-6:30 p.m., at Pawtucket City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue.  The exhibit runs through May 8, 2020. 

“Women’s History Month has been a huge success in recognizing the achievements and impact women make each and every day in our community,” says Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Especially this year, as we honor the anniversary of women’s right to vote and have their perspectives included in our civil lives, we take this opportunity to celebrate the creativity, vision and achievements of our local women artists.”

Grebien notes, for over twenty-years, art has become a very powerful economic engine, bringing artists and craft artisans into the City’s historic mills to open galleries and studios. “Celebrating the work of women artists at the City Hall Gallery sends a very clear message that the City recognizes the positive contribution of both established and emerging women artists with Pawtucket connections,” he says.

“This art exhibit and celebration gives us an opportunity to recognize the efforts of artist and community activist Gail Ahlers, RISD graduate and founder of The Empowerment Factory (TEF), for her decades of work building the City’s arts community,” says Miriam R. Plitt, chair of the Commission. “Gail has always thoughtfully shared her artistic talent to the City.  Her activism at TEF, facilitating after-school and summer learning programs, has positively affected 3900 local youth, 90 percent of whom are considered underserved.  Additionally, they have hosted over 300 events that are free and open to the public, such as an Annual Healthy Living Event, that help build a stronger local community,” notes Plitt.

The PCAC exhibit will bring together the works of prominent local artists, such as Gretchen Dow Simpson, C.C. Wolf, Victoria Dalpe, Susan Dansereau, Jess Regelson, Mimo Gordon Riley, Joan Hausrath, Lisa Bruno, Ruth Clegg, Nancy Katz, Jaclyn Tomasso, Toba Weintraub, Wendy Ingram, Jeannine Chartier, Linda Dewing and Karen Rand Anderson, with artwork created by members of the Flying Shuttles and local high school students to represent the diversity of our Pawtucket community and more.

During the opening, there will be a brief speaking program to include Miriam R. Plitt, chair of the Commission; Laureen Grebien, wife of Mayor Donald R. Grebien; Jeannine Chartier, chair of the Commissions Exhibition Committee; and Mollie Flanagan, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts’ Individual Artist Program Director. City Councilors Meghan Kallman and Elena Vasquez will bring greetings from the Pawtucket City Council.

Enjoy live music and refreshments.  Free parking is available.  Admission is free.

The Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture is composed of nine members of the Pawtucket community, charged with raising awareness, collaborating, promoting and showcasing arts and culture in publicly owned spaces throughout the city.  The City Hall Art Gallery, curated by PCAC, features year-round art exhibits showcasing the work of Pawtucket artists.