Art in a Service Plaza

ME Exit 102N or 103S: Center for Maine Craft (and W. Gardiner Service Plaza) -

VA Exit 177B: Torpedo Factory Art Center - From 1918 thru WW II, this building produced torpedo shell casings and other weapon systems. The Mark XIV green torpedo you see in the main hall salutes that era. Nowadays, about 160 artists can be found here working in 82 studios which offer water views and lots of light. You are allowed to wander and watch them work on painting, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, wearables, printmaking, glass, photography or fiber art, and are able to buy their work on the spot without the middle man. There's a little cafe - Bread & Chocolate - and an artsy gift shop. 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. www.torpedofactory.org Tel: 703-838-4565.
 

GA Exit 99: ShopSCAD - It is rare that a college (in this case, Savannah College of Art and Design) changes the architectural and social face of a city. When Savannah real estate was cheap, the school embedded itself everywhere, becoming a patchwork quilt downtown, with these artistically gifted people creating a buzz everywhere. Finally, the college decided to open up a shop to highlight student, faculty and alumni creations. You might find: jewelry, totes, clothing, stationery, journals, dishes, serving pieces, pillows, glasses, paintings, soap and candles. 340 Bull St. www.shopscadonline.com Tel: 912-525-5180.

SC Exit 53N or 57S: The South Carolina Artisans Center - Here's the state's official folk art and craft center, showcasing hand-made creations of blown glass, sweet grass baskets, whimsical garden sculptures, carvings, pottery, jewelry, shawls, quilts, tatting and wooden objects by over 315 artists who live and work in SC. Located in the Detreville's charming former home, the one-of-a-kind items are definitely worth the 2-mi. detour off the road for anyone who loves beautiful artwork. 318 Wichman St. (Alt Rte 17), Walterboro. www.southcarolinaartisanscenter.com Tel: 843-549-0011.

RI Exit 22: RISD Museum and RISD Works - In the RISD museum, founded in 1877, you will find all kinds of art from Hadrian's letter on stone to a Buddhist vestment textile and a coffin and mummy, to videos and electronic art. In the risd/works store, alumni and faculty designs are sold: Rany Joo's Skip Hop backpacks, lunch bags, plates, bibs, Christopher Raia and Andrea Zatariain kitchen gadgets and Jeff Davis recycled record clocks. Shop address: 20 N. Main St., Providence. www.risdworks.com www.risdmuseum.org Tel: 401-277-4949.

Road trips are back and to help those who travel up and down the East coast, Drive I-95 is a new style of guidebook which combines colorful easy-to-follow pictorial maps and fun stories.

Look ahead exit by exit to see which motels (with 800 numbers), gas stations, restaurants, campgrounds, 24-hour pharmacies, auto mechanics, radio stations or radar traps are there, and where you can stay with your pet. We share our stories of the road : history on I-95, museums, trivia, towns to explore or places to run the kids.  These stories can be read for entertainment during the drive, and may entice motorists to stop, stretch their legs and discover someplace new.

The 6th edition of Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia finally covers the whole length of I-95 from Maine to Miami. You can find it in book stores everywhere, at Amazon.com and on our web site.

You can also order this edition right now in downloadable PDF form to be used on a computer, laptop or iPad.

So hurry up and buy one for yourself and some for your family and friends - a very useful hostess or holiday gift. www.drivei95.com or 877-GUIDE95 (877-484-3395).

Here's a FREE look inside Drive I-95

Don't forget that our radio and TV interviews can always be seen HERE on our site, as well as some of our YouTube videos.