Photo and article by Abby Fox

Gavin McHale is reading a newspaper while he waits in the waiting room of University Family Medicine, but if he gets bored, he can look up and admire two paintings of local artist Sarah Mutton.
The paintings got there thanks to a program offered by Fostering Arts, based in Foster, wherein businesses hang art made by locals for free, while the artists get good exposure.
Artists are encouraged to sign up for this program by calling Executive Director Kim McHale, at 451-8848.
“The art is on display as long as everyone likes,” or until it’s sold, McHale explained. “I can’t prove stuff will sell, but you have a better chance of selling it if it’s hanging somewhere than if it’s sitting in your studio,” she said.
Artists can also get exposure by submitting samples of their work on the group’s web site, fosteringArts.org, for an annual fee of $55.
“It’s fantastic,” she said. “The art’s been well received.”
Admission is open, but the art has to be something the businesses are comfortable with seeing on their walls, she said.
To meet McHale or some of the artists involved, or to learn more about Fostering Arts, the group is holding a July 4 Family Fun Day Cook-Out at the Little Rhody Vasa Park in Foster, or at the open studio tour in Foster, Glocester and Scituate, in November.