South County Art Association

Helme House
2587 Kingstown Road
Kingston, RI 02881

401-783-2195

  
       
 

General Information

  
 

Organization

  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Mission The mission of the Association is to encourage artists, to promote interest in the arts and to contribute to the community. Membership is open to anyone interested in furthering these aims as an artist or supporter of the arts.

Membership Currently over 250 members belong to the South County Art Association. The annual Membership fee is $60. Members receive discounts on classes and may participate in all membership activities. Each member receives a bi-monthly newsletter, invitations to all classes and exhibition openings, as well as opportunities to exhibit their work in the Member's Annual and Artist Member Invitational Exhibits. Members are also able to participate in the annual Holiday Pottery and Affordable Art sale. Each August there is a Buffet Under the Trees meal in which Members are able to gather together and celebrate a year of art and accomplishment. Members are encouraged to participate in a variety of volunteer positions which include, among others helping with exhibitions, hospitality, fundraising, and gallery work.

Pottery Workshop Members who pay an additional studio use fee of $450 per year, are entitled to unlimited use of the pottery studio, open seven days a week from 8 am to 10:00 pm. The studio is equipped with several kilns, potter's wheels, and the necessary equipment needed to create a wide variety of ceramic work.

HistoryThe South County Art Association's first exhibition was held in 1927, in the Wickford studio of artist John W. Dawson. He became its first President when the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1929. Since 1944, it has been located in the historic Helme House (c 1802), in Kingston. The Annex building, dating to 1759, is home to the Potter's Cooperative as well as to drawing and sculpture studios.

Programs Members run an active and varied exhibition program, open to the public five days a week, in the Helme House galleries. Each new exhibition begins with an opening reception, giving artists and the public a chance to be together and enjoy the show. SCAA offers classes and workshops in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and clay along with several informative lectures on working as a professional artist.

General Information

  • Opening receptions are held the first Thursday of each exhibition from 7 to 9 pm.
  • Cash prizes are awarded in open juried shows and in the Members Annual show.
  • SCAA collects a commission on works sold, 30% for Members and 35% for Non-members.
  • Entry fees for juried shows are $12 for Members and $15 for Non-members for each artwork submitted.
  • credit cards / checks gladly accepted

New Members always welcome — Go to the Membership Form now.

  
 
Staff and Board of Directors
Membership Form
  
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South County Art Association, Helme House, 2587 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI 02881