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Community Corner

Shady Lea Mill Open Studios Week-end / Dec 7th & 8th / noon to five

The Mill at Shady Lea is getting ready for its biggest event yet when

the award winning Artists and world-renowned Craftsmen and Women of the Shady Lea Mill will proudly open their doors to celebrate their 16th year anniversary.


   The historic Shady Lea Mill, situated on the scenic Mattatuxet River in North Kingstown, houses over 40 artists and artisans working in various media.   On Saturday and Sunday December 7th and 8th from noon to 5pm, The Shady Lea Mill will host Open Studios for each artisan to showcase his/her skills. Just in time for holiday shopping,  some of Rhode Island’s many talented residents open their doors to the public and offer a wide array of hand made local gifts. Featuring one of a kind pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media collage, glass blowing and fusing, hand made pewter frames, photography, woodworking, jewelry design, music and classes in art and guitar building.  Anchor Bend Glassworks is an unprecedented glass artist collaborative established in 2003. This award winning team is comprised of childhood friends Michael Richardson, Justin Tarducci and Timothy Underwood. All met while exploring their shared enthusiasm for art, glass and creation. The talents from each artist encourage and compliment the energy and originality that permeates every piece of hand blown glass that Anchor Bend creates. Their award winning designs can be seen at select galleries and museums nationwide. 
David Christensen  also lends his talents in cane glass beadwork to the Anchor Bend team. His jewelry and other creations will be highlighted at the Open Studios. as well as the talented woodworking of Ryan Baird and Dan Collins' unique hand made guitars.   Remember Dan Collins and Ryan Baird?   Dan's classes in guitar making (Shady Lea Guitars) are growing and Ryan's Golden Rule Designs business in kitchen designs and furniture is exploding.  It's great to see these two gain the recognition they so richly deserve.  Don't forget Ed Roche and his wonderful original paintings that grace our hallways.  Ed is one of the corner stones of the mill.  As is Julie Munafo, who makes the most awesome frames and unique pieces of jewelry.  
Back again this year is the absolutely gorgeous jewelry of Petri Kymlander, the antique clocks of Rich Fyans and our busy "POTTERS", Donna, Sue and Connie.  Donna Dunn of RI Spa Products, the reason the mill always smells so good with her soaps, creams and sprays all made from ingredients grown in Rhode Island, is getting ready to present some new products again this year.  
"A SPACE TO BE"  in Studio 200 where you can rent a place by the hour, day or evening for a quiet spot to write,  paint, photograph your works of art, hold a yoga class, have a meeting, give an art lesson, make music or just meditate.   Studio 205 is an extension of Cathy Marcotte's Space to Be with a special focus on gentle yoga and mindfulness activities and is actively seeking small group yoga teachers, while currently sharing the beautiful space with Stephanie Gove, an integrative health coach who specializes in holistic stress management.  Then there is the unique talent of the mother and son team of Carolyn and Leander Jaques, Illustrators, Calligraphers who share a love of lettering . URI student, Mea Duke, artist and printer.
This year we will be featuring several new additions to our "old timers" who bring their new and exciting talents. John O'Hare, jewelry designer, Grant Andrews, music composer and producer,  Katy O'Kula, writer and photographer.   The Demarko Photographic Group is a combined resource for all your fashion advertising requirements and lets not forget Trisha Tyler, also a photographer and her beautiful models. 
  Also outback is the Tree Hugger himself, Matt (Twig) Largess of Largess Forestery and his wonderful group and Jake and Ethan of Freshmode, well known area graphic artists who will put your message/logo on t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats and anything else that can't run faster then they can.  
The paranormal group, *GHOSTS*, is planning an exciting presentation of their adventures at the mill and other historical buildings of interest.  They also give private tours for those who are interested.
As always, The Shady Lea continues to be home to an artistic magic that permeates through every Studio.
While admission is free,  the artists of Shady Lea Mill are asking guests to bring a non-perishable food items for the North Kingstown Food Bank.   Collection bins will be placed at every point of entry. Food items of greatest need are proteins – peanut butter, canned meat and fish, beans, etc.   Thank you.


http://www.themillatshadylea.com/

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