The Collaborative, a nonprofit arts organization in Warren, will be holding a food and art event at their Studio, 4 Market St. in Warren, on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m.   

The Studio’s current exhibit, on view throughout September, features artwork by Brendan M. McCarthy and Edmund Dalo, together called Authentic Abstraction. McCarthy and Dalo are both former Rhode Island firefighters who met while working for the city of Pawtucket and each suffer from severe work-related trauma. During their time working together, the duo bonded over a love of music, writing, and creating.

Along with their artwork on display, the two will be signing copies of their book, “Hanging by a Thread,” which offers a unique insight into the dark and deadly world of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. "Art went from a coping strategy to deal with the horrors of our work as firefighters to now being the gasoline and ignitor to the new fire we will be fighting,” said McCarthy.  “The fire of activism and advocation, painting, writing, connecting, listening, creating, and healing."

The event will also feature food offerings from Wedge, a new cheese shop due to open in Warren this fall. “Mini Nibble Boards” of regionally produced cheeses, salumi, honey, crackers and preserves will be available for purchase. Drinks will be offered for sale by arc{hive} book + snackery, the used book store bar who shares the space at 4 Market St.

“This is a true collaboration,” said Uriah Donnelly, Executive Director of The Collaborative and co-owner of arc{hive}. “Both the Collaborative and arc{hive} were created with the idea to offer spaces for the community to get together and share ideas. It’s always been important to us to highlight what we’re doing but also to support our neighbors who are doing cool things.”

For more information, visit www.thecollaborative02885.org/events