The Buzz ON THE BAY

By Emily Olson

Studio Strolls

ART NIGHT BRISTOL WARREN: Visit open studios and galleries at this monthly event and get to know local artists and their work. August 31, various Bristol/Warren locations, ArtNightBristolWarren.org

GALLERY NIGHT PROVIDENCE: Creative spaces open their doors to the public for a guided walking or trolley tour giving access to some of Providence’s hottest art spots. Third Thursdays (August 17), departing from The Graduate, GalleryNight.org

OPEN STUDIO TOURS: Download an app or pick up their brochure map before setting out on a drive around the coastal towns of Tiverton, Little Compton, Westport, and Dartmouth to experience studios in all media. August 19-20, SouthCoastArtists.org

WESTERLY ARTS CRAWL: Get to know the coastal town’s thriving arts scene by following the yellow signs to studios, galleries, and even public art sculptures and murals. First Fridays (August 4), various Westerly locations, AnnieWildey.com

Peek inside studios with summer strolls like Art Night Bristol Warren

But he can use art to bring people together. “The people on our board are artists, so we realize the value of the arts. And we understand that making art is their business, so we want to give them a nice venue to sell their work.”

The Looff Arts Festival

Celebrating the East Providence arts scene with music, food, and vendors selling all variety of works, the festival returns to Crescent Park in Riverside August 12. EastProvidenceArtsRI.org

Joseph Mushipi is a sculptor and painter who moved to the US from Zambia in 2021. “My first experience with The Loo was amazing,” he says. “I come from a small country where we don’t have big festivals like that.”

Mushipi shares that he owes his growth as a small business owner entirely to art markets, where he sets up what he jokingly refers to as his mobile gallery. “As an artist, I create art for people, and those people like meeting the artist. I’ve found that once they hear my stories and hear about my life, they end up buying my art because of our conversation.”

O’Connell isn’t surprised that Mushipi’s success is driven, in part, by that connection. “Art is part of being human,” he says. “It makes it nice to be alive.”