The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach
Erin Lynch of Wickford admires the artwork of Brett Swanson of Mystic, Conn., as she visits his display at the Wickford Art Festival.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- A stroll through downtown Wickford was a walk through a world of art Sunday as the seaside village held the annual festival that draws artists from across the country and beyond.
Thousands of visitors perused the white booths where paintings, sculptures and photographs bloomed with color and textures despite despite heavy, humid heat.
Keeping cool became an art itself, as people ducked beneath parasols, umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats.
On Sunday, the last day of the two-day festival, chilled bottles of water, ice-cream cones and frozen lemonade were among the weapons of choice as people strove to keep the heat at bay.
This year marked the 51st year of the Wickford Art Festival, and it continues to offer a variety of styles and mediums from classic pastoral pastels to abstract sculptures and whimsical ceramic creations.