Columbus Day Weekend Tradition: Scituate Art Festival in Rhode Island

Oil paintings, handcrafted precious gem jewelry, glass chimes and wheat weaving are just some of the artistic creations that will be showcased this year at the 39th Annual Scituate Art Festival. The event, which over the years has gained prominence throughout the United States and the world as one of the finest arts and crafts shows in New England, takes place over the Columbus Day weekend, October 7-9, at Berkander Field, the North Scituate Community House, on the grounds of the historic Congregational Church and around the Village Green, Route 116, in North Scituate. Festival hours each day are 10am to dusk. Admission is free.

But the traditional event is about much more than the over 300 artists and crafters from throughout the country and Canada who are selected to exhibit by the Scituate Arts Festival Committee. It is also about antiques, musical entertainment, food, and the enjoyment of a rural community and its village life.

The diversity of the Scituate Arts Festival is what draws thousands of visitors each year, many first-timers, others who return each year for the fall tradition. The crisp autumn air provides a pleasant atmosphere for festival-goers who browse the works in search of a unique home decor item, a work of art to add to their private collection, or a special holiday gift.

Among the arts works are landscape paintings in oil, acrylic paintings of wildlife and nature, fine art works in tropic themes, fine art photography depicting nature, landscape and wildlife subjects, and a variety of sculptures made from varying mediums. The professional craft offerings include jewelry, pottery, glass wind chimes and wheat weaving designs.

"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 John F. Winfield Jr., a member of the 36-member Scituate Art Festival Committee. "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."