Scituate Art Festival - Festival Features

WHILE YOU'RE HERE ...

FOLIAGE TOURS
Columbus Day weekend is a wonderful time to visit Scituate, with the Scituate Art Festival an added bonus. The fall foliage should be at or near peak, offering stunning foliage drives on country roads surrounding the Scituate Reservoir.

Start your loop of Scituate at the Route 116 intersection. Follow Route 14 out of Scituate and then turn left onto Route 12. This will take you across the Hope Dam. At Route 116 turn left, traveling north. At Route 14 turn right and retrace your drive back. You can access I-295 from Route 14.

HIKING
For those who like to experience the great outdoors, the clean, crisp fall air offers an open invitation to picturesque walks. Scituate is home to a walking trail at Rockland Road. The one-mile scenic trail provides stunning vistas through wooded areas.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Horseback riding for all levels is available at Journey's End Farm on 326 Nipmuc Road (647-3537) and Winsor Farm on 11 Winsor Avenue (934-4458).

SHOP THE VILLAGE
The historic North Scituate Village is home to a unique blend of stores. Enjoy strolling the area's fine shops for some great finds.

HISTORIC TOURS
While out and about in Scituate, be sure to take some time to explore its rich history. The SCITUATE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH is the focal point of the town and the Scituate Art Festival. Located on the Village Green on Route 116, the 1831 church of Neo-classic design has been restored to showcase its historical features. During the Scituate Art Festival, the church is open for public tours and is well worth the time to look inside.

Another historic treasure in Scituate is the LAPHAM INSTITUTE, located on a crest between Route 6 and Route 116 and visible from the Village Green. Built in 1839, the Greek Revival building was originally home to the Smithville Seminary. At the time, it was one of the largest school buildings ever built in the town. In 1863, the building was named the Lapham Institute and then renamed the Watchman Institute. Over the years, the building became ill-kept and in disrepair. In the 1970s, an effort to repair and restore the structure was successful. Today, the building is home to Scituate Commons, an apartment complex. But the exterior, with its magnificent three-story columns, remains true to the original design.

For a look at a one story hip-roofed building with panel pilasters, visit the NORTH SCITUATE COMMUNITY HOUSE on the north side of Route 116. Built in1825, the building's most interesting architectural features are its two recessed entry porches with paneled square posts. The building also is crowned with a louvered, two-part belfry. The structure first served as the North Scituate Academy, before its use as a community center.

From "Drawing Crowds To Artistic Treasures"
By Maryellen Cicione
The Observer
October 10, 2002

Since 1967, the Scituate Art Festival has introduced the state to unique works created by hundreds of artists and professional crafters from throughout the United States and Canada.

Through the years, the Scituate Art Festival, like a fine wine, has only improved with age. This year, more than 300 artists and craftspeople will be exhibiting their works at the 35th Annual Scituate Art Festival. In keeping with tradition, the festival will be held over the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

From 10 am to dusk daily, exhibitors will be selling their unique creations on the Village Green on Route 116 in North Scituate. John F. Winfield Jr., president of the 36-member Scituate Art Festival Committee, says visitors will have the opportunity to "view and purchase some of the most exceptional pieces of art, craft, sculpture and antiques."

Those exhibiting in this year's festival were selected earlier this year through a juried process. They were required to submit photographs or slides of their work, along with a brief description and price range. The Scituate Art Festival's Selection Committee made the final determinations in May.

"The Scituate Art Festival remains so well known and has gained an exceptional reputation because of the time the Selection Committee puts in selecting the artists and crafters in the show," says Winfield. "The Selection Committee is comprised of artists and those with an art education background, so they have established a stringent set of criteria that applicants must meet."

Among the requirements for artwork, whether it be watercolors, pastels or photographs, is quality of workmanship and relevance of the piece to the period. For crafts, the committee looks at whether it is handmade and the quality of workmanship. Since styles change quickly in the craft world, the committee also considers the latest trends and looks for unique items that could become future trends.

"Price is also a concern," adds Winfield. "We don't want all high price tag items at the festival. We want a range of prices to appeal to the diverse crowd."

In addition to artists and crafters, this year's Scituate Art Festival will feature:

The public also can tour the circa 1830 Congregational Church, which serves as a centerpiece on the fairgrounds. In fact, the church was the reason why the Scituate Art Festival got started in the first place. Looking for a means to support the restoration efforts of the former Congregational Church, 12 local exhibitors took part in the first Scituate Art Festival.
See Project Photos

The success of the 1967 festival led to an annual event, which has grown not only in exhibitors, but in reputation as well. Today, hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders and out-of-state visitors make the Scituate Art Festival a rite of passage each year.

As has been the tradition over the past 34 years, proceeds from the Scituate Art Festival will be distributed to numerous causes within the town, including continued upkeep of the venerable historic church.

"We were able to raise the funds necessary to repair the church. Now, each year, we put a portion of the proceeds from the Scituate Art Festival into a fund for restoration and upkeep of the church," explains Winfield. "The remainder of the monies raised benefit nonprofits, schools, libraries and organizations within Scituate."

Over the years, the Scituate Art Festival has given $300,000 back to community organizations in town. In addition, Winfield points out that taxpayers don't incur any of the expenses associated with the festival. Vendor fees pay for such things as trash collection and police patrols.

Over the three day event, Scituate Art Festival Committee members will be walking about the Village Green to spot improvements or enhancements that can be made to next year's festival.

"The Scituate Art Festival would not be possible without the hard work of the committee," emphasizes Winfield. "Every member is 100 percent concerned about the quality of the show and who it benefits. They are dedicated to improving where they live and the quality of life around them."

Scituate Art Festival Through The Years

1967 - The first Scituate Art Festival was held indoors at the North Scituate Community House. The one-day event featured 12 local exhibitors and attracted 500 visitors.

1968 - Food concessions are added to the Scituate Art Festival.

1969 - The Scituate Art Festival becomes an outdoor event.

1970 - The Scituate Art Festival is expanded to a two-day event.

1972 - The Scituate Art Festival becomes a three-day event.

1977 - The Scituate Art Festival celebrates its 10^th anniversary. The festival's reputation for offering the most unique varieties of art, craft, sculpture and antiques begins to grow.

1987 - The Scituate Art Festival marks its 20^th anniversary, attracting some 100,000 visitors.

2002 - The Scituate Art Festival, well known throughout the country, marks its 35^th year. Visitor numbers are well in the 200,000 to 350,000 range.