Who we are
Westerly Arts is an inspired collective of artistic talent actively working in the region
Artists of Westerly, Rhode Island are diverse, dynamic, experimental, organic, progressive and so much more. Their canvas is a multitude of mediums that go beyond encapsulation of the world around them, instead melding the evocative elements that make you feel, inspire & remember.
Westerly Arts was created out of a need to invite together a growing art scene. These artists are local and showing their work in the Downtown Westerly Arts District. Many galleries are open for our First Fridays Westerly Arts Crawl and are also offering additional gallery showings.
How it Began
In the early 2000’s, the Westerly Downtown Business Association (DBA) and the Artist’s Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW) worked together to establish a monthly Art Stroll in downtown Westerly. Keith Cowley, a science illustrator and designer who was hosting artists at his Wild Animal Trust gallery in the old McCormick’s building on the Pawcatuck River, helped design the first art stroll map, ACGOW brochure and marketing materials while also creating the DBA’s first website. He pushed for the state of RI to keep downtown Westerly designated as a tax-free arts district, part of his role with the Keepspace program as the town revamped its Comprehensive Plan. He was a consultant during the formation of the Westerly Regional Arts Partnership (WRAP), representing area artists and musicians while working as the Entertainment Manager at Perks & Corks.
The Westerly Arts Co-op eventually moved from High Street to Canal Street. Once the pandemic hit, the Art Stroll dissolved, and the United Theatre renovations shifted the Co-op to its current location at the Westerly Train Station on Railroad Ave. In 2023, Annie Wildey, a renowned local artist and owner of Air Gallery met with Cowley and other downtown artists, spearheaded the revival under the moniker Westerly Arts Crawl, fantastically bringing together a post-covid growing arts scene.
In December 2024, as the Air Gallery closes its doors to invite a new chapter for Wildey, she has passed the reigns back to Cowley who now hosts artists in his gallery at Living Sharks Museum, and the Westerly Arts Crawl lives on!
Follow Westerly Arts on IG and FB for the latest updates about open galleries, art crawl schedules, artist highlights and more!
