The Wickford Art Association Gallery draws its roots from the ?Little Gallery? owned by Robert MacMeehan and located at Franklin Street. Already a popular gathering place for the most popular artists in the region, the gallery became an even bigger success when he and his partner Pearl Marsh hosted a sidewalk exhibit in 1961, an event that paved the way to the creation of the Wickford Art Festival, which was first celebrated the following year. The festival was also a tremendous success and thus led to the creation of the Wickford Art Associations, whose chartered members include McMeehan.

Now, over thirty years later, the Wickford Art Association Gallery continues its successful rise in the art scene, providing numerous free demos and lectures every month as well as scholarships in fine arts at the North Kingstown High School. The gallery moved to its current location in May 1989.