South County, Rhode Island, is home to dozens of first-rate attractions, making it an ideal vacation destination for the entire family. The area has beautiful beaches, underrated dining, amazing parks, outstanding hiking, and excellent places to go boating, in addition to a vibrant art scene.
Art galleries are everywhere in South County, including some renowned venues in South Kingstown and Westerly. However, perhaps the most unique of the bunch is Wakefield-Peacedale’s World’s Smallest Art Gallery.
This gallery provides the rare opportunity to purchase art directly from the artists without paying any commission whatsoever. You also never know what you’re going to see when you visit. Here’s everything you should know about checking out the World’s Smallest Art Gallery.
What is the World’s Smallest Art Gallery?
In short, the World’s Smallest Art Gallery is an outdoor kiosk with two 37-inch by 36-inch panels located along the William C. O’Neill Bike Path. It sits directly behind Mythic Bike Works, making it easily accessible from many parts of South County.
The kiosk hosts rotating exhibits for six-week periods, giving local artists the chance to show off their works in a high-traffic location. Artists must apply to have their works featured at the World’s Smallest Art Gallery and can place one or more pieces behind the kiosk’s glass to keep them safe.
This exhibit is beneficial to artists because plenty of foot traffic passes by, especially in the summer. It’s also great for art lovers because they can quickly check it out without having to enter a physical gallery.
How to Reach the World’s Smallest Art Gallery
Getting to the gallery is straightforward, as it’s located in South Kingstown’s Wakefield-Peacedale neighborhood. If you’re coming from the south, Kingstown Road, Columbia Street, and High Street all meet near this gallery, while South Kingstown Road also comes from the north.
There’s a public parking lot near the kiosk, as well, or you can park at Peace Dale Village Green and walk over in a matter of minutes. Many visitors choose to ride their bikes from Tri-Pond Park because it’s a scenic trek through a wooded area that emerges at the gallery.
Buying Artwork From the World’s Smallest Art Gallery
This gallery is a joint project between the Hera Gallery and the Peace Dale Neighborhood Revitalization Committee. However, neither entity receives payment for their contributions, as all sales are directly negotiated between the buyer and the artist.
If you see something you like at the World’s Smallest Art Gallery, you’ll likely see the artist’s contact information on the piece. You can then contact the artist directly to arrange for purchase and take your new work of art home with you from your South County vacation.
Enjoy Some Original Artwork
In addition to this small gallery, visiting the Hera Gallery and Educational Foundation is highly recommended if you’re an art lover. The main gallery is located on High Street in downtown Wakefield-Peacedale and features dozens of exhibitions by local artists at any given time.
South County, Rhode Island, has a dynamic and growing art scene that’s well worth exploring when vacationing in the region. The galleries here focus on local and cultural exhibits, allowing you to bring a piece of coastal Rhode Island home with you after your visit.
Book your South County vacation rental early and start planning which art galleries you’ll check out during your time in this beautiful part of the country.