Fresco Italiano - A Night of the Arts

Saturday, June 24th
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

St. Ann Arts & Cultural Center

84 Cumberland Street, Woonsocket, RI

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts (NRICA) recently presented awards and a scholarship at the Fresco Italiano: A Night of the Arts at St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center. The sold-out event celebrated the arts and artists in northern Rhode Island.

Inspiring Youth Art Award

Raymond Nolan was presented with the Inspiring Youth Art Award “in recognition of his lifelong commitment to inspiring the arts and showcasing the creativity of the youth of northern Rhode Island.” One of the founding members of the NRICA, Nolan served on the executive committee, was the chair of the Visual Arts Committee and the father of the arts contest.

The Jack Lawhead Scholarship for the Arts

The Jack Lawhead Scholarship for the Arts was presented to Emily Jalette, a recent Beacon Charter High School for the Arts graduate who will pursue a degree hospitality management with a concentration in restaurant management at Endicott College. The scholarship is named for Jack Lawhead, who was a founding member of the NRICA and visionary behind the Beacon Charter School.

Art Contest

The Center and the NRICA invited students from Woonsocket (WHS) and Cumberland (CHS) High Schools to showcase their talents and to compete in an art contest sponsored by both arts organizations. Teachers from both communities will also share their own works of art. Participating art educators included Jason Robert LeClair, Lauren Scotto and Cynthia Walsh from CHS and Jamie Beaudry, Tina Clarke and Ashley Coutu from WHS.

Student participants from Cumberland included: Eva Abu-Raya, Molly Avelar, Ella Bianchi, Lucy Biggs, Vincy Cai, Joaquin Cardoso, Gianna Delfino, Tanner Dufresne, William Gillette Sherman, Patrick Giroux, Camillo Goncalves, Allison Hartwell, Devin Hill, Ania Hughes, Sid Lapore, Colton Laverty, Shea Leary, Madison Magazu, Lindsay Molis, Gabriella Panagoulopoulos, Mia Sanbourin, Evan Stengel, Dasha Trehubenko, and Jason Xavier. Student participants from Woonsocket included: G’ovanni Collazo, Isabella DeAlencar, D’Angelo Dipardo, Lily Loyd, Aidan Greenless, Warren Groth III, Joel Huertas, Kaitlyn Marcoux, Isabella Ortiz, Neisha Reyes Colon, Sadie-Brooke Seikera, Khalia Sen, and William Urizar.

The winners of the contest were, in first place with a $300 prize, Isabella Ortiz from WHS; in second place with a $200 prize, G’ovanni Collazo from WHS; and in third place with a $100 prize, Lily Loyd from WHS. There were two honorable mentions with a $25 prize: Isabella DeAlencar from WHS and Sid Lapore from CHS.

First Place, Isabella Ortiz from Woonsocket High School

Second Place, G’ovanni Collazo from Woonsocket High School

Third Place, Lily Loyd from Woonsocket High School

Honorable Mention, Isabella DeAlencar from Woonsocket High School

Honorable Mention, Sid Lapore from Cumberland High School

Art Exhibits

The St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center will also display its private collection of rarely seen sketches by Italian artist Guido Nincheri, the artist who painted the ceiling of the Center. This special event will be held in the main fresco gallery. This year, the event was expanded to include an art contest for local high school students. The Center and the NRICA invited students from Woonsocket (WHS) and Cumberland (CHS) High Schools to showcase their talents and to compete in an art contest sponsored by both arts organizations. Teachers from both communities will also share their own works of art. Participating art educators included Jason Robert LeClair, Lauren Scotto and Cynthia Walsh from CHS and Jamie Beaudry, Tina Clarke and Ashley Coutu from WHS. Proceeds from the event were for the benefit the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center.

Jason Robert Leclair from Cumberland High School with his art work

Jamie Beaudry from Woonsocket High School with her art work

Ashley Coutu from Woonsocket High School with her art work

Tina Clarke Berkey with her husband Eric Berkey in front of her art