As the world anticipates the longest night of the year, the towns of Westerly and Pawcatuck will light the way for holiday revelers during the 28th Annual Holiday Stroll and Luminaria on Wednesday, December 3, from 5–8 PM. As evening falls, walkways, windows, shops, restaurants, and galleries will be aglow with holiday cheer. During this festive event, the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW) will celebrate the opening of their December exhibition. The public is invited to enjoy seasonal refreshments, explore the artwork, and find the perfect holiday gift.

     This season, ACGOW’s artist members fill the gallery with an array of original artworks, including paintings, monoprints, sketches, jewelry, pottery, fiber art, woodwork, and sculpture—a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship. In the spirit of giving, visitors are encouraged to browse the Gallery Shop, which will be packed with hand-crafted treasures by member artists that can make their recipients feel treasured. The shop offers affordable, meaningful gifts that are accessible to everyone. Shopping locally is also a wonderful way to sustain and uplift local creators.

     ACGOW is also proud to participate in this year’s Nutcracker Trail, sponsored by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce in honor of its 100th anniversary. Throughout December, 100 artist-made nutcrackers—including a creation by some ACGOW members—will be displayed across Westerly, Pawcatuck, Stonington, Mystic, and Voluntown. Click for more information. 

     This year’s Holiday Show sponsors are Eyes on Nigrelli Family Eye Care in Westerly, RI, and ACGOW artist Elizabeth Goor. Eyes on Nigrelli provides a full range of optometric services, from routine exams and glasses fittings to urgent care. Learn more by clicking HERE. Abstract artist Elizabeth Goor believes art is a language which needs no translation. Her abstracts are a testament to her unlimited imagination, her obsession with color and her willingness to think outside the box. Elizabeth’s paintings reflect how she feels about life: happy, wild, colorful and always surprising. She hopes to evoke those feelings in all who view her works.

      Throughout early December ACGOW will be collecting donations of new art supplies to be delivered to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center in time for the holidays. All are encouraged to drop off art donations at the Gallery to help give the gift of art and spread some holiday cheer. Suggested art supplies are art packets for children of all ages—so children have everything they need to create. Examples: watercolor set or acrylics with brush & paper, crayons with pad, markers with pad, colored pencils with pad.  The Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (PNC), located in Pawcatuck, CT, provides social and essential services for people of all ages who reside in Stonington, Pawcatuck, Mystic, North Stonington and Westerly. Donations will be accepted through December 18. Click HERE for more information.