Tag Archives for Michael Bryce

Long Standing Show Returns in December

Published in Woonsocket Call on November 8, 2015

Foundry Artist Association Kicks Off 33rd holiday Sale at Pawtucket Armory

Look for thousands of shoppers to converge on downtown to purchase unique holiday gifts for their friends and loved ones.       Next month, the Foundry Artists Association (FAA), one of Rhode Island’s premier arts events, returns to the City of Pawtucket to kick off its 33rd holiday sale.  At this two weekend event, 60 seasoned artists bring their fine art and crafts to sell to the Pawtucket Armory’s drill hall, items ranging from art glass to wood, and include painting, sculpture, metal, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, photography, millinery, handmade books, and furniture.

One of Rhode Island’s oldest shows runs for seven days over the first two December weekends, starting with the Gala Opening Night on Thursday, December. 3, from 5pm – 9pm. The Gala features the John Juxo and Otis Read, refreshments and the kick off of a Silent Auction showcasing items valued over $50 that are donated by each of the participating artists.

The show continues on Friday, December. 4, from noon – 8pm; Saturday (December. 5) and Sunday (December. 6) from 10-6 pm. The proceeds of the first weekend Silent Auction will be given to two nonprofits: Sovereign House, an advocacy and resource center for Rhode Island domestic abuse victims and the Resources for Human Development, a Pawtucket-based arts-based studio program that serves adults with a range of disabilities.

The Foundry Artist show reopens on Friday, December 11, noon – 8pm; Saturday, December. 12, 10am – 6pm, and closes on Sunday, December. 13, 10am – 6pm.

The show is free to the public with free parking in the adjacent parking lot and free on street parking.  Handicap parking is in the rear of the building.  No sales tax will be charged on purchases; all major credit cards accepted.

Providence artist Michael Bryce, FAA’s president, says his organization’s event stands out from other art shows popping up throughout the Ocean State in December.  “With a juried selection of artists, the caliber of work is high in our show,” he says, noting that a strong outreach brings seasoned artists to group’s attention, who are invited to apply and submit their work for consideration.

“After a rigorous jury process usually 75 percent of the artists will be selected to return the next year, says Bryce. This turnover gives shoppers an opportunity to view the art work of the new participating artist each year.

Pawtucket’s First Years

Bryce says that over three decades ago, a community of artists opened their I-95 Foundry Building studios in downtown Providence to the public during the December holiday season.  In 1995, when the Foundry Building was converted to office space, its artists scattered to studios throughout the region, however, they continued to hold a December holiday show in different venues. These places included Veterans Auditorium and at a mill now demolished on Charles Street, both located in downtown Providence. The Foundry Artist would end up in Pawtucket initially by relocating to the Grant building on the City’s historic Main Street and later to Riverfront Lofts, across the river from City Hall.

In 2002, the Foundry Artists were drawn to the 1894 castle-like Armory, on Exchange Street, says Bryce.  With the departure of the National Guard in 1994 the City’s historic Pawtucket Armory became vacant.  Its 11,000 sf drill hall might just be the perfect place to hold for their holiday sale.

Ultimately, with the Foundry Artist signing a lease with the Pawtucket Armory Association, a nonprofit that owned and was renovating the historic structure, former Mayor James E. Doyle, charged the city’s Department of Planning & Redevelopment with the responsibility of making sure all the regulatory i’s were dotted and t’s crossed.  Art supporters, including Phyllis and Morris Nathanson, Paul Audette, along with Developer Ranne P. Warner gave countless hours to making this first Holiday sale a success.

At the first Foundry Artist Holiday Sale, under the amazing vaulted space, a large outside propane heater piped hot air inside the drill hall to bring temperatures up to a manageable level.  Porta cans placed at the back of the drill hall became the de facto rest rooms. With paint peeling from the ceiling and walls, the huge space needed a good coat of paint.

But, shoppers, coming from Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, found plenty of free parking in Pawtucket, and easy access off Interstate 95.  With the Pawtucket Armory being located in the City’s 307 acre Arts District, there was no sales tax was charged on purchases.

Over the 13 years that the holiday sale has been held at the Pawtucket Armory, gradual improvements were made to this building.  Propane heaters used during the first years were replaced with an efficient gas heating system and rest room facilities were built out.  Over the last couple of years a new wooden floor was installed in the huge drill hall with the walls and ceiling being painted.

Bryce, employed by the Providence Journal as a freelance illustrator at age 12 who was has received undergraduate and master degrees in painting and illustration and teaches art at local colleges, says that the Armory’s drill hall perfectly showcases the artist’s one-of-a-kind art work. “I cannot even image another space that would be so perfect,” he says, stressing that the “beautiful space” gives shoppers a “breath-taking experience.” when they are browsing around looking for that piece of art.

With two years under his belt as President, Bryce has worked to put his finger prints on the Holiday sale.  With the silent auction being completed by the end of the first weekend, he successfully pushed his group to create artist showcase which highlights each unique artist’s works.

Live artist demonstrations and videos are scheduled every hour on the second weekend to show the process of making art in different artistic mediums, Bryce added, noting that this “creates an interesting and interactive environment for the shopper.”

For additional information about this year’s foundry Artists Show, please visit www.foundryshow.com or www.facebook.com/foundryshow.  Or listen to advertising spots place don Rhode Island National Public Radio.

Art’s a Good Scene for Young and Old Alike

Published in the Pawtucket Times on August 27, 2001

For those seniors seeking great music and artistic programming at not cost or for those grandparents seeking suitable fun, entertainment and educational opportunities for the grandchildren, Convergence 2001 Pawtucket International Arts Festival may just well fit the bill.

Some have told this writer that the font size of the official arts festival brochure is too small for seniors to read. So true, but there is so much information jam-packed into the brochure highlighting the three-week schedule of events, from September 7 to 23, all sponsored by the City of Pawtucket. So, if you must squint your eyes and learn about the more than 50 visual and performing arts, workshops, great music and dance performances in downtown Pawtucket and at the historic corridor of Slater Memorial Park.

So many choices, so many events to attend with your grandchildren. Well, here’s my top picks for your consideration.

Puppet Shows: On Sept. 8, from 10 to 11 a.m., Ducan Patran, an acclaimed puppeteer with Yorick’s Puppet Theater, brings his hand carved unique marionettes to the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center. On Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., youngsters will also be captivated by four large puppets, courtesy of the internationally recognized The Big Nazo. Mingling among the crowds, these larger than life puppets dressed in very unusual attire will please the youngsters as they stroll through Slater park all day.

Children’s Arts Exhibit: Come see the work of 300 members of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club. During the summer, children ages 6 to 12 created tiles pertaining to a theme. Come see those tiles, which will be on display at the Boys & Girls Club, One Moeller Place in Pawtucket, from Sept. 7 to 23. Additionally, a giant mask created by children enrolled in the Salvation Army after-school program will be on view on the weekend of Sept. 15 at Slater Memorial Park. On Sept. 21, come watch a competition sponsored by the Pawtucket YMCA, where more than 100 children will create their own drawings on the sidewalk of the the City’s Main Street.

Storytellers and Animals Galore: Come to Slater Mill Historic Site’s Fabulous Fall Fiber Festival on Sept. 9, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m to listen to storytellers and to visit a petting zoo of live animals such as llamas, sheep, goals, and angora rabbits, whose fur produces the yarn for textiles.

Chainsaw Art: On Sept. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Rhode Island Environmental performance artists and wood sculptors Michael Higgins and Billy Rebele will carve two small immigrant children out of two large logs. Both young and old will marvel as the logs, take shape at Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in downtown Pawtucket.

Dragon Board Races: Last year hundreds of spectators lined the riverbanks at the former State Pier off School Street to watch quarter-mile races between two brightly colored 38-foot line Chinese dragon boats with 16 paddlers, a drummer/flag catcher and a steer person. With American Airlines donating 18 free round trip tickets to the winning boat crew, we expect more competitors for the races, scheduled on Sept. 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring your grandchildren to see Chinese arts demonstrations and dough figure making. Watch a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performed and other traditional dances performed by more than 20 dancers in their brightly colored traditional costumes. Listen to 10 Boston Chinese youths playing a mixture of traditional Chinese hammer dulcimer music along with a Chinese yo-yo demonstration. These activities are planned to take place during the dragon boat races.

Festival planners have made it very easy for you and your grandchildren to reach the day-long events. Park your car at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and catch a RIPTA bus to the boat races and Taiwan Day Festival. Or travel to the site by taking a ferry boat from the Taft Street landing.

Workshops and Demonstrations: This year children can learn to make clay sculptures, re cycled art and scarecrows, too. Pawtucket art teachers will even show you how to make musical instruments from assorted materials. By bringing your grandchildren to Slater Memorial Park on Sept. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., they can also learn more about the different artistic media, weaving, wood, jewelry and glass blowing, all taught by local artists. In addition, check out the Wheels of Wonder Bus with its interactive activities during the day as well.

And there’s so much more to see. Why not view the mural of prehistoric dinosaurs, created by Rhode Island painter and illustrator Michael Bryce that will be permanently installed in the Pawtucket Public Library. Viewing of this large mural takes place from Sept. 7 to Sept. 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

With two weeks before this mammoth Pawtucket arts festival kicks off with a gala on Sept. 7, the City of Pawtucket is in the process of distributing a schedule of events to every public and privately managed senior complex in the City. Programs are also being distributed by local businesses. Additionally, a listing of festival events will be printed in The TImes, beginning Sept. 3, continuing for a three-week period so stay tuned.

For more information, or to obtain a schedule of events, call 401 742-2200,