Fabric Arts Festival's inaugural edition marked the beginning of a dynamic cultural dialogue with the territory, bringing together artists, audiences, and communities to celebrate Fall River's rich narratives and its potential as a site of creative exchange. This first iteration transformed Fall River’s urban landscape with vibrant murals and installations by Alberonero, Bráulio Amado, Elian Chali, and René Gagnon. Immersive installations by Jonathan Saldanha and Catarina Miranda created multi-sensory environments, merging sound, movement, and architecture to provoke introspection and wonder.

The music program was equally diverse and ambitious, featuring performances by Kelsey Lu, Lula Pena, Mal Devisa, Downtown Boys, The Island Man, and the United Bands Project, which united the city’s four philharmonic bands in a historic collaboration. Film also played a significant role, with the premiere of Pushing Forward, a short film series by Diogo Lima that captured the narratives of local makers and residents.

The festival further celebrated Fall River’s heritage and contemporary identity with the launch of Made in Fall River, a cultural guide mapping the city’s unique spaces and traditions. By blending tradition with innovation, Fabric 2019 invited the community and visitors alike to experience Fall River as a site of artistic convergence and dynamic storytelling.