Arts Commission holds open house

By Don Fowler
Posted 2/8/17

By DON FOWLER Chairperson Rebecca Flores greeted over 100 visitors to the Cranston Arts Commission open house, held last week at the Artists' Exchange on Rolfe Street. And not a single person was talking about the Super Bowl. It was all about the arts,

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Arts Commission holds open house

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Chairperson Rebecca Flores greeted over 100 visitors to the Cranston Arts Commission open house, held last week at the Artists’ Exchange on Rolfe Street. And not a single person was talking about the Super Bowl.

It was all about the arts, as artists, actors, musicians, politicians and many supporters of the arts mingled, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, listened to the music of two local musical groups – the Antonio Forte trio and Matt & Amy – while learning about the exciting plans for the newly revised Cranston Arts Commission.

Cranstonian J.R. Pagliarini was there to celebrate the revival of the original commission, which was first chaired by his late father, John Pagliarini, in the late 1970s.

Ward 1 Councilman Steve Stycos, who introduced the ordinance that supported the reorganization of the commission and provided a modest allocation to get the group started, was on hand to lend his encouragement, as was Mayor Allan Fung.

With Forte’s trio, which plays at the Artists’ Exchange every Sunday at their popular Jazz Brunch, playing softly in the background, the Theatre 82 space was abuzz with conversation about the importance of arts in the city and the number of artists that reside in Cranston.

Many Cranston residents involved in the arts who have joined the commission were present for the event, including storyteller Len Cabral, artist Sal Mancini, actress Lynne Collinson, artist/publisher Mary Bohlen and commission vice-chair and William Hall Library director Jess Rosner.

Overheard discussing the importance of the arts in education and economic development were School Committeeman Jeff Gale and retired Economic Development Director Kevin Flynn.

Executive Director of the R.I. State Council on the Arts Randy Rosenbaum said that he was pleased to see the high level of enthusiasm and support for the commission.

The commission meets monthly on the second Monday of the month at the Artists’ Exchange at 50 Rolfe Square. The Artists’ Exchange has been a leader in the community in sponsoring arts activities and education, including a children’s summer camp program, a family performance series and the Sunday jazz series. They are also home to the acclaimed Epic Theatre and the non-profit breakfast and lunch eatery, Character’s Café.

If you would like to be put on the commission’s e-mail list for further announcements of activities and meetings or to offer assistance and ideas, you can contact them at cranstonartscommission@gmail.com.

Flores said that the commission is currently discussing plans for a spring event and welcomes any help to “foster a diverse arts community.”

“We plan to be a vehicle for people to create and showcase their art and network with other Cranston artists,” she said.

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  • JaneDoe

    Rosner is not the director of the William Hall Library.

    http://cranstonlibrary.org/location/william-hall-library

    Monday, February 13, 2017 Report this