Passport to the Arts
September 19–20 2026

Join the Block Island Arts Council for two days of discovery, creativity, and connection as Block Island's arts and crafts community opens its doors to residents and visitors alike!

Passport to the Arts invites you to explore open studios, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations hosted by local artists and craftspeople across the island. Listen to poetry, watch multimedia installations, try your hand at lino cutting, visit local ceramics and sculpture studios, screen-print your own wearable art, and so much more.

Free transportation will be provided to artists' studios and work spaces on September 19th, giving you a rare behind-the-scenes look at where it all happens. Workshops and demonstrations continue throughout the weekend. Pick up your passport and map at our welcome station at the Visitors Center, just off the ferry, from 9am to 12pm on Saturday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 20th.

The weekend culminates in a fundraising celebration on Sunday afternoon at the Spring Street Gallery. We'll be raffling off a 250th commemorative glass float by Glass Station artist Eben Horton and celebrating Block Island's vibrant creative community together.

Find us at the Block Island Arts Guild at the Historical Society on September 13th, and at the Block Island Farmers Market at Legion Park on September 5th and 12th, for opportunities to buy raffle tickets before the event. All proceeds stay local, providing educational resources, materials, and grant funding for our artists and community.

Stamp your passport, meet the makers, and even take home a piece of the island's artistic spirit.

Thank you to the Roosa Fund and to Block Island Tourism Council for their generous support in making this two day event possible!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19th

9am - 12pm: Free Passport pick up and workshop sign up. Visitors Center across from the Block Island Ferry.

11am- 2pm: Open Studio Tours – Free Taxi Shuttle

Starting at the Taxi Stand by Block Island Ferry. Shuttle will take you to the following eight artist studios—

Jose Gallegos: Mixed media and Silk Screen Printing at sparpointfarm.com

Elieen and Steve Miller: Painting and Photography Studio https://www.springstreetgallery.com/eileen-miller & https://www.springstreetgallery.com/steve-miller

Drew Wheelan: Upholstery Studio

Sue Brown Black: Island Fiber Arts Studio https://www.facebook.com/islandfiberarts/

“Crugie” Riccio: Mixed media sculptures www.crugie.com

Josie Merck: Painting Studio https//josie-merck.squarespace.com

Sean and Leslie Hartnett: Sculpture and Terracotta Majolica Relief and Oils https://www.sean-hartnett.com & https://www.lesliehartnett.com/about

John Warfel: Ceramics Studio https://www.springstreetgallery.com/john-warfel

FREE Artist events in town:

11am - 2pm MaryJameson Seaweed Print Demo and artwork at Parlor

30 Water Street, https://saltwaterstudionewport.com

2pm - 4:30pm Sue Marte  Lino Cut Workshop at Parlor, 30 Water Street, www.theoceanoracle.com

5pm- 7pm Multimedia installation by Joshua Maldonado titled ‘Shadow Play’ at Gallery Paiden, 123 Ocean Avenue, NthLabrinth.com

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20th

10am-11am:Susanna Gardner Poetry Reading @Parlor, at 30 Water Street

12-4:30pm: Arts Workshops and Exhibitions at Spring STreet Gallery, at 105 Spring Street

2-4pm Niovi Forbes Ceramic Workshop https://oxumnyc.com, at Spring Street Gallery Lawn

12- 4:30pm Claire Marshak- Sketching workshop, https://www.claire-marschak.com at Spring Street Gallery Lawn

4:30-6:30pm Artists Reception and Raffle Drawing at Spring Street Gallery, including a chance to win the 250th Commemorative Glass ORB, held at Spring Street Gallery.

Please check back as we make updates to our calendar!

Passport to the Arts started with it’s first event in 2023. Block Island Arts Council is committed to continue this amazing island-wide event, having it take place over two days in 2026, that supports local artists and crafts people.