About WAA

History

The Beginning of Wickford Art Association

In 1961, a sidewalk art show was first planned in the town of Wickford, Rhode Island, an effort led by Robert MacMeehan and Pearl Marsh. The success of this show led to the establishment of the Wickford Art Festival in 1962. The first festival was so favorable that visitors and exhibitors encouraged the local artists to form an association. That year, the Wickford Art Association was founded to promote Wickford as a center for the arts as the town was a common meeting place for many South County artists.

Local artists founded the Wickford Art Association to promote Wickford by encouraging the production, exhibition and sale of works of art. Its charter members were Louise Cashman, John Huszer, Ronnie Loring, Olive MacIver, Robert MacMeehan, Gilbert Rodman and Irene Selley.  In 1969 the Wickford Art Association was incorporated and granted federal 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization in 1970.  In May of 1989 the Wickford Art Association Gallery at 36 Beach Street was dedicated.

Since 1962, the Wickford Art Association has produced the Wickford Art Festival, which has ranked top 10 in the country and No. 1 in New England for best art festival. It hosts up to 250 fine artists from around the world.

The Wickford Art Association gallery hosts monthly exhibits, hosts lectures, demonstrations, and small concerts too.  There are plenty of cutting edge and interesting classes offered, which are available to the public as well as artist-members.  The gallery is open with free admission and parking.