Artists' Exchange to host 15th annual gingerbread house decorating contest

Artists’ Exchange has announced its 15th annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Artists’ Exchange, located at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston.

How does it work? Participants start with a simple graham cracker construction and craft it into a work of art. There are heaping supplies of frosting, cereal, pretzels, and of course, an array of colorful candy to decorate your dream candy home. And with no age limit, everyone is invited to join in on the fun.

“The Gingerbread Decorating Contest is our favorite day of the year. It has become a tradition for many families in the neighborhood as well as the staff here at Artists’ Exchange. It is exciting to see families return year after year and watch how the children and the event have grown. This is my 12th year working to organize the event, and every year is more fun than the last,” said Shannon Casey, the event’s coordinator and director of Artists' Exchange.

Casey said attendance grows every year, so she and the staff are gearing up for a big crowd. Construction on the houses has already begun, and with the help of volunteers, Artists’ Exchange plans to have at least 600 houses by the week before the event.

“It’s a lot of work to prepare for, but it’s absolutely worth it,” she said.

The studios will then be transformed into a holiday wonderland, creating an atmosphere designed to inspire childlike wonder and creativity.

Before returning home with their houses, participants can submit their creations for judging in their corresponding age category. Families can also opt to work on a house together and enter for judging in a separate family category.

The team of judges, consisting of local artists and art teachers, photograph and rate all the houses based on creativity, attention to detail, imagination and most of all, thinking “outside the house.”

Winners will be announced on the Artists’ Exchange website and social media on Dec. 9. Prizes include Artists’ Exchange gift certificates toward classes in the upcoming winter session.

Discounted registration for the winter session of classes is also available during the event. Be sure to check the schedule on the Artists’ Exchange’s website before coming. All class registrations processed on the day of the event will get 20 percent off tuition.

Also included in the weekend’s festivities will be holiday grab bags, raffles, face painting, and artwork from students and artist residents on display and for sale. Top it off by commemorating the day with the giant gingerbread house and Abominable Snowman photo booths.

Be sure to share your memories with Artists’ Exchange on Facebook and Instagram, or follow us to stay up-to-date on all the great events and activities happening.

Reservations are strongly recommended. For reservations, visit artists-exchange.org/gingerbreadevent.html.

The contest cost is $15 per house. The cost is $13 in advance, online only. Waive the fee with the code GBRD19.