St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center Wins Prestigious Yankee Magazine's 2011 Best of New England

The 2011 Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England has recognized the as “Best of New England – Editor’s Choice."  This special recognition is awarded by Yankee Magazine’s editors and contributors, who designate select restaurants, lodgings and attractions in New England to the exclusive list.  Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, for 35 years, has been the most widely distributed and best-selling guide in the six-state New England region, providing readers with a comprehensive vacation-planning tool and daily reference. The magazine is now also running contest in which readers can win a five night getaway to Stowe, VT by submitting photos taken at the center.

The is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the former St. Ann Church, home to North America’s largest collection of fresco paintings.  Visitors can see intricately hand carved marble, magnificent stained glass windows and a breathtaking collection of fresco paintings that rival those of Europe. Yankee Magazine said it best, “The walls, vaults, and ceilings of this former church are covered in frescos beautiful enough to convert an atheist.”  For the last ten years, said Walter Rathbun, chairman of the Board of Directors, many volunteers have worked tirelessly to oversee the protection of these incredible works of art. 

The staff is very excited and grateful for this recognition and honor. Since the beginning of May, over 150 visitors from outside of the city have passed through the Center to view the works of art that were created by Italian artist Guido Nincheri who immortalized the faces of the Woonsocket community by using their images in the frescos.

“Our ‘Best of New England’ issue is about where we live and play and raise our families.  These places happen to be the cities and villages, the beaches, mountains, and forests, where visitors from around the world come to spend precious vacation days,” said Editor Mel Allen.  “We’ve filled our pages with the places we want to see, and have seen, and will see again.  Immerse yourself in these places to visit, as beautiful as any in the world, plus more than 250 ‘Bests,’ our recommendations for inns, shopping, sights, restaurants, adventures, and what-have-you.”

The magazine has also announced a photo contest with a prize of a five night getaway to Stowe, VT.  The contest is free to enter, and to enter contestants need only to stop by St Ann and take a picture. A placard with the cover of the May/June 2011 edition of Yankee Magazine on it has been sent to the center.  To enter, take a photo with the placard, yourself and one other person showing the interior or exterior of the center.  You can submit as many photos as you would like.  To use the placard, simply contact the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center www.StAnnArtsCtr@aol.com, call 401-356-0713 to make arrangements, or stop by on Sundays between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m.  The more you submit, the better your chances are of winning.  For additional rules and instructions go to YankeeMagazine.com/Contests, under Contests select 2011 Editors’ Choice Photo Contest.

The 2011 Travel Guide features 288 “Best of New England – Editor’s Choice” selections, which include the region’s best dinning and lodging venues, attractions, adventures, local secrets, and bargains.  This special issue also names 120 top events around the region.  In the food section, follow six different trails that spotlight region-specific culinary legacies, including burgers in Connecticut, lobster rolls in Maine, chowder in Massachusetts, ice cream in New Hampshire, stuffed clams in Rhode Island, and cheddar cheese in Vermont.  Plus, Yankee’s contributors map out trails for arts shopping, antiquing, birding, hiking, biking and paddling along New England’s favorite byways.

The will also be recommended on YankeeMagazine.com.

For more information visit: YankeeMagazine.com

About Yankee Magazine:  Yankee Magazine was founded in 1935 and is based in Dublin, New Hampshire.  It is the only magazine devoted to New England through its coverage of travel, home, food, and features.  With a paid circulation of more than 350,000 and a total audience of nearly 2 million, it is published by Yankee Publishing Incorporated (YPI,) a family-owned and independent magazine publisher.  More information about Yankee: New England’s Magazine is available at: YankeeMagazine.com