July 11, 2012 (Central Falls, RI) – A group of Rhode Island artists, led by Providence-based designer Kaitlyn Frolich and Pawtucket art gallery owner Candita Clayton, will launch the Central Falls Summer Arts Initiative (CFSAI) with the New Millennium Arts Factory this Saturday, July 14, 2012, from 11am-1pm.

The free two-hour classes, taught by well-known artists from as far away as Vermont, will occur on six Saturdays at the Adams Memorial Library (205 Central St, Central Falls) through August 18, 2012. Over 25 children, ages 7-13, are currently registered for the first class. Enrollment remains open for the first class and the remaining five classes. Parents may enroll their children by completing a parental consent form available in the Adams Memorial Library, Monday-Friday from 12pm-5pm.

“Candita and I wanted to help kids understand that art is everywhere, all around us.” said Frolich, CFSAI Co-Founder, “When we heard of Leadership Rhode Island’s focus on Central Falls, I reached out to Mike Ritz with our idea to produce art with kids and then exhibit their art in Candita’s studio.”

All of the art produced by the students and participating artists during the six-saturday program will be exhibited and available for purchase in Candita Clayton Studio (999 Main St, Pawtucket) in mid-September and will include a special evening for the Central Falls participants, their families, Leadership Rhode Island alumni, and the general public. The event will be sponsored by The Adams Memorial Library and Leadership Rhode Island.

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“As proud as we are to pull in artists from around the state and serve as a community hub, we’ll be prouder still to see those young artists’ faces when they experience their summer art in a professional gallery,” said Bruce Kaplan, 2011 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and current President of the library’s operation Board of Directors.

CFSAI is a 100% volunteer-based initiative. All of the participating artists donate their time and, in some cases, art supplies. Additional art supplies are purchased at a significant discount through Jerry’s Artarama (14 Imperial Place, Providence) from funds raised online through Leadership Rhode Island’s “Donate” button on its website at www.leadershipri.org.

The artist/teacher featured each week is as follows: Marly Rogers – July 14, Jessie Perry – July 21, Glenn LePore – July 28, Kyla Coburn – August 4, Dauna Noble – August 11, Kathy Good – August 18. Art produced from the Central Falls Summer Art Initiative will be exhibited in the Candita Clayton Studio at a to-be-determined date in September 2012. The money made from the purchase of the art will go directly to the children who produced it.

For more information about The Central Falls Summer Art Initiative, visit www.cfsai.com or stay updated through facebook at CentralFalls.sai.