Spring Street Gallery Interactive Arts Fair - Monday July 20th 11am - 3pm

All are welcome at this summer’s first Interactive Arts Fair!

Spring Street Gallery is hosting its first Interactive Arts Fair on Monday, July 20th, from 11am-3pm! The arts fair welcomes visitors of all ages to meet island artists, make art of your own, win prizes at carnival games, enjoy live music, and attend a community cookout.

Block Island’s arts community is front and center with inclusive activities hosted by local artists. The fair’s focus is on making the creative process open to anyone’s participation rather than something to only be observed. Anyone, regardless of experience, is invited to participate in making art of your own alongside the artists, or to put yourself into the art with creative experiences. Our volunteers will be hosting a variety of crafts and interactive services designed to let you (yes, you!) share your creativity alongside working artists without the pressures of a classroom or critical evaluation. All ages welcome; no artistic experience required.

What you make is yours to keep and designed to be travel-size, so try your hand at pottery painting, watercolors, candle making, spin and miniature painting, and creating plantable pollinator-friendly sculptures. Put yourself into the art by bringing a garment or picking one of our thrifted items to upcycle at the screen printing booth, getting a psychic reading, sitting for a personal portrait, getting henna tattoos or having your face painted, or staging an underwater scene in a customizable photo booth. Play carnival games to win prizes - anything from beginner art supplies to curated kits, gifts and gift cards from local businesses, tools for exploring island nature, and professional works of art and jewelry from island artists. Or try your luck at the grand prize raffle!

Artist Led Activities

• Watercolors with Madyn Gwynne

• Screen Printing with Jose Gallegos - Bring your own garment to print or select one of our thrifted pieces to decorate!

• Pottery Painting with Niovi Forbes

• Seed Sculptures with Ella Lysik

• Painting Rocks and Miniature Canvases with Tracey Lee Michaelson

• Candle making with Karen Corcoran

• Spin Painting with Michel Rosenthal

• Face Painting with Lydia Mott

• Henna Hand Tattoos and Temporary Tattoos with Sue Marte & Susana Gardner

• Psychic Readings with Dani Lama

• Personal Portraits with Zoe Forbes

• Under The Sea Photobooth with Kinga Kaminska

Music Line-up

11am -12noon - The Uke Society and Jayme and Megan Hennessy/The Hennessy Sisters

12noon -1pm - Joel Taylor

1-2pm - Elaina Smith

2-3pm - Sam Stockman

All are welcome to visit the fairgrounds, located on Spring Street Gallery’s lawn and behind the Harbor Baptist Church. On top of all of the fair activities, visitors can shop works from volunteer artists at their booths plus the works on display inside the gallery. A classic hot dog cookout will be hosted by the church so come hungry and enjoy the picnic! Visit the concession stand for activity tickets plus popcorn, cotton candy, and fresh pressed juices, or cool off with popsicles from Blocksicle. 

Every dollar spent at this volunteer-led event supports two local nonprofits and their community programs, as well as the many volunteers who have worked to make the Arts Fair possible.

A Community Fair

Proceeds from fair tickets go to supporting Spring Street Gallery, a nonprofit artist co-op. The gallery serves as a showcase for local artists and a gathering place, as well as a venue for community programs focused on increasing access to the arts and building connection through creativity. The fairgrounds are open to all; roll tickets are available to participate in games and activities. Tickets are $5 apiece or 5/$20. Cash or card accepted for tickets and concessions. Visit https://www.springstreetgallery.com/ to learn more about the artists and their events.

Proceeds from the neighboring cookout go to supporting the Harbor Baptist Church and their community service and outreach programs. Cash or check donation accepted (suggested donation $10 per plate). Visit https://www.harborchurchblockisland.net/ to learn more about their community programs.

The Interactive Arts Fair is open on Monday, July 20th from 11am-3pm, at Spring Street Gallery (105 Spring Street) behind the Harbor Baptist Church, right across the street from the ferry. Parking is limited. Please plan to walk, bike, or taxi.

Crafts, games, and creative services can be used with activity tickets from the ticket booth. The ticket booth takes cash, card, or Venmo. Tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five.