Artists' Exchange & Gateways to Change to Present 'Fall Out of Summer' Festival, 9/22

Artists' Exchange and Gateways to Change, Inc. are pleased to announce the 6th annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival to be held on Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 11am to 5pm in the lots surrounding Artists' Exchange and Citizens Bank. The festival will feature live music and theater, artisans, art activities and contests, food trucks and more. Admission is free for kids 12 & under, with a regular admission of $1 to benefit Artists' Exchange's programs.

Artisans will showcase a variety of items including but not limited to stationery, jewelry, paintings, pottery and upcycled and recycled items.

New this year will be food trucks including Cranston's own Paco's Tacos.

Live musical performances by bands and artists influenced by folk, rock, blues and beyond will include returning artists such as Jacqueline Bartlett, Steve Allain, Malyssa Bella Rosa, Jenny White, Billy Mitchell, Red Ed and the Undead, Kate Katzberg and Wal Man, while first time festival performers include Chris MacKay and the Toneshifters, Sheez Late, Veronica Farren, Antonio Forte and Peacewise. Theatre 82 mainstays Bring Your Own Improv and Gary Hopp & Friends will also newly join this year's line-up.

Ceile Kennels will present its popular "Doggie Show Off Contest," in which participants can enter their dogs into a variety of categories such as "Most Artsy," "Best Dressed" or "Best Trick." This year, the contest will be hosted by WPRO's Kim Kalunian. Rolfe Square's own Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio will also return to showcase the talents of their young performers along with Johnston's Mastery Martial Arts.

There will be an unveiling of a collaborative art piece made by 2013 Artists' Exchange Summer Art Camp participants, in a project led by Cranston resident and Mass Art student Erin Moran who volunteered her time this summer. This year's piece is a fabric mosaic. The piece will be displayed in Artists' Exchange's newly renovated main gallery. Through the efforts of volunteer Reed McLaren who launched a "Gallery for 'Change" campaign, the gallery has received a fresh coat of paint and a new state of the art track hanging system.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, art contests, and raffles. The Street Art Contest encourages participants to transform a square of pavement into a two dimensional masterpiece. Entries will be judged by festival attendees and winners will receive a free class in art, music or theater at Artists' Exchange. Attendees may also play original, fun and "artsified" carnival style games such as "Escher Tessellation Toss" or "Warhole in One."

In the Black Box Theatre, Artists' Exchange's own in-house theatre, attendees can participate in theater games and enjoy readings offered by Epic Theatre Company which has joined Artists' Exchange as its first ever resident theater company. They may also see a preview of The Black Box Theatre's upcoming production of A Christmas Carol.

Adding to the artful fare will be pumpkin painting and an ice cream sundae station offered by Characters Café which is housed inside Artists' Exchange's new venue, Theatre 82.

Increasing in popularity each year, the festival brought in close to 3,000 attendees last year. Sponsors include Amica Insurance, Digital Document Solutions, The Park Theatre, Narragansett Bikes, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Macaroni Kid, The Cranston Herald, Casey's Chimney Service, The Providence Phoenix and Panera Bread.

The 6th annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival will take place on Sunday, September 22nd at 50 Rolfe Square in the lots surrounding Artists' Exchange and Citizens Bank and Theatre 82 in Cranston, RI from 11am to 5pm. In the event of rain, the event will take place the following Sunday, September 29th. Artists' Exchange is located at 50 Rolfe Square and Theatre 82 is located at 82 Rolfe Square. For more information, contact Emily Urban at 401.490.9475 or visit www.artists-exchange.org.

Artists' Exchange is a nonprofit arts collaborative whose mission is to create an atmosphere in which creativity, learning and discovery converge and individuality is celebrated. Artists' Exchange is home to multiple art studios, a gallery, art boutique and café, along with secondary venue Theatre 82, a multi-use performance, meeting and instructional space. Join us for enriching classes and a variety of events in art, theater and music.

Artists' Exchange is operated by Gateways to Change; a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all human beings.

For more information, visit www.artists-exchange.org.