the ART DRIVE — August 8th & 9th

Eighth Annual Artists’ Open Studio tour along Massachusetts’ scenic South Coast to feature “Bodacious Bonitos,” demonstrations, and guest artists

artdrive1the ART DRIVE – On August 8 and 9, the ART Drive returns to the South Coast, where 32 Dartmouth and Westport artists have teamed up for their 8th Open Studio weekend.

Some of the area’s premier painters, ceramic artists, photographers, jewelers, weavers and others participate in this annual event. The ART Drive uniquely emphasizes a consistently high level of professionalism and quality in unusual and dramatic studio settings.

Each year, the participating artists apply their creativity and style to create large, colorful depictions of popular species of fish. This year, the artists have chosen the Bonito. Their four-foot long “Bodacious Bonitos” will be previewed in public spaces and in front of local shops, businesses and other sites in Dartmouth and Westport prior to the ART Drive weekend. The general public will be able to view and bid on the fish on eBay by going to www.the-artdrive.com.

The ART Drive artists will individually donate a percentage of their sales to the Lloyd Center for the Environment, a non-profit organization that provides educational programs on aquatic environments and supports scenic, public walking trails through 82 acres of estuaries and salt marshes overlooking the Slocum River estuary in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Through its innovative outreach programs, the Lloyd Center has established itself as a highly regarded leader in the ongoing effort to raise awareness of the area’s fragile coastal resources and the importance of protecting them.

Art lovers and collectors alike will enjoy a great day trip (or weekend escape) while touring these historic towns. With only 15 miles separating the studios, visitors will enjoy a scenic drive through this picturesque area with ample time for a picnic lunch at the beach or dinner at one of the many area restaurants.

Schedule of Events:

From July 1 through July 23, ten of the School of Bonito will be on display in the Rhode Island Botanic Center in Roger Williams Park. The Botanic Center (www.providenceri.com/ botanical-center) is one of Providence’s hidden gems with over 12,000 square feet of gardens, including New England’s largest indoor garden space. The Botanic Center is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

artdrive2Friday, July 24 – ‘”Bodacious Bonitos” will be on display at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery during a summer outdoor concert at 6pm featuring One Bad Ant with Gary Duquette, a long-time local favorite.

Saturday & Sunday, August 8 & 9, 10am to 5pm – ART Drive Weekend. The Open Studio tour takes place along a 15-mile mapped route through the villages, farmland and seacoast of Dartmouth and Westport.

·        “Bodacious Bonitos” will be on display in the artists’ studios.

·        Several artists will perform scheduled demonstrations of the craft at11am, 1pm and 3pm.

·        Guest artists will be present at several ART Drive studios.

·        Rising Stars – Dartmouth and Westport high school students’ art will be displayed at an exhibit at South Wharf during the weekend. This location will also provide information about the tour and artists.

The 2015 ART Drive artists: Sandy Hall, Beverly Carter, Michael Hubert, Deb Ehrens, Sarah Daughn, Maddy Bragar, Dora Millikin, Susan Strauss, Frank McCoy, Wendy Goldsmith, Gay Gilles, Peggy Call-Conley, Jimmy Viera, Barbara McDowell, JP Powel, Paula Kochanek, Marty Keating, Kirt Rebello, Ellen Langer, Debra Valeri, Marjorie Puryear, Stephen Remick, Anne Carrozza Remick, Joney Swift, Jill Law, William Kendall, Morgan Bozarth and Sue Wadoski. Emerging Artists: Caitlyn Kenney, Emily Rath, Marcus Cusick and Jake Ginga.

Along with the participating artists, the ART Drive is sponsored by many local businesses.

Sponsors include: Anne Whiting Real Estate, Bayside Restaurant, Dedee Shattuck Gallery, Flora, The Sylvia Insurance Group and Insurance Agencies, William Raveis Real Estate, Friends Academy, Little Moss, Lees Market Wine and Spirits, Howland Evangelista Kohlenberg Burnett LLP, and Westport Art and Garden, Inc.

Supporters include: 6 1/2 Bridge Street Gallery, BayCoast Bank, Dartmouth Dermatology, Dartmouth Early Learning Center, Details and Design, Deborah Quinn-Munson Studio, Folia, Davoll’s General Store, Milbury and Company, Norton Gallery, the Paquachuck Inn, Partners Village Store, Studio by the Sea, Susanna Ries, The Law Offices of Rusitzky and Russell, The Village Merchant, Westport Lobster, Yoga 101, and anonymous contributors.

For more information on the ART Drive artists, sponsors, demonstration times and a map of the route, visit: www.the-art-drive.com.