The Bristol Art Museum announces its next exhibit, Breadth & Depth: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, a national juried exhibit that challenges conventional boundaries through which 51 artists from 18 states, express ideas about the natural world. The exhibit is on view from Sun., Feb 4 through Sun. Mar. 24, Thursday to Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. An Artist Reception is scheduled for Sun., Feb. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. Karen Drysdale Harris, a Jamaican-born watercolorist and oil painter based in Rhode Island, served as juror for the exhibit. Artwork in Breadth & Depth relates to one or more of the elemental themes of earth, water, air or fire that express the artists’ emotion and perception. Artists explore symbolism, textures, colors, and conceptual interpretations that evoke the essence of these elements. “This exhibit ventures into the intricate interplay between the elemental forces of nature and the profound depths of human consciousness,” shared Mary Dondero, Curator and Museum Board Member. “Artists selected for this exhibit were challenged to push the limits of artistic expression and embrace the tactile experience. The result is a national exhibit of artists from around the country that explores the natural world." The exhibit also features work by Stephanie Stroud in the Museum’s Brick Gallery. Complementing the primary exhibit, Stroud describes her work as “influenced by the variation in nature and landscape that New England offers.” She is an artist who works in fiber and felted wool. Drysdale Harris attended Rhode Island School of Design where she earned her BFA. Her primary sources of inspiration are nature and the memory of her Jamaican roots. Her work strives to express both the colors and the gentle quiet of the Caribbean. Drysdale Harris is particularly interested in how her lost memories can be triggered by nature. She has been featured in So, So Rhode Island and the Providence Monthly Magazine and was awarded first place at the 34th Annual Rhode Island Open at the Warwick Center for Arts. Drysdale Harris attended I-Park Foundation’s artist residency and was recently featured in GoLocalProv.com’s Inside Art with Michael Rose. Harris has been featured in several solo and group exhibitions including The Black Biennial at the RISD Museum, the Green Spadec Gallery at TF Green Airport, Sutton Gallery, Cheshire Academy, Imago Foundation for the Arts, AS220, BankRI Turks Head Gallery, and Johnson Wales University Bridge Center Gallery along with multiple group shows throughout Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut.
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As part of its Spring 2024 classes, the Bristol Art Museum will offer a two-session workshop on the history and how to create Ukrainian Easter Eggs, commonly known as pysanky (pee-san-key). Pysanky are decorated eggs created by using a wax resist (similar to batik) method with traditional folk motifs and designs. The workshops are scheduled for Mon., Mar, 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. For class registration, please contact classes@bristolartmuseum.org. Artist Hanka Robertson, who learned how to create pysanky from her mother when she was a child in Slovenia, will serve as the instructor for the class. Pysanky are decorated eggs created by using a wax resist method with traditional folk motifs and designs. The eggs represent life and are symbolic of the resurrection. In this workshop, participants will learn how to draw on a white chicken egg with a special pen, kistka, and melted wax, then color the egg with special dyes. The drawing and dyeing are repeated several times as each layer of the design is applied until the egg is finished at which time the egg is blown out, the wax removed, and a ribbon is threaded through. “While not a traditional art form, in recent years, I have enjoyed an increased interest in this unique and history-rich form of art,” said Robertson. “Many who enroll in these classes have some connection to the tradition of pysanky are artists or craftspeople exploring a new art form. Undoubtedly, the current hostilities in Ukraine have also heightened interest in pysanky.” The class is $20 for Museum members and $30 for non-members. All supplies are provided for the workshop including an egg and kistka. Participants will also receive a short history of Pysanky, instructions with an explanation of the process, motifs and pictures for design inspiration, an explanation of the caring for the completed egg, and a keepsake container in which to take the pysanky home. “Pysanky remain an important tradition to the Ukrainian and Slavic people,” added Robertson. “It is a unique tradition that helps those of Ukrainian and Slavic descent feel connected to their past – especially given the current troubles in the region. It is also an important element of the Easter traditions in both the Christian and Orthodox faiths. The symbolism linked to the Resurrection is very strong as is an egg’s way to commemorate significant life events." The Bristol Art Museum Presents An Afternoon with Christine DePoto and Mark Levy in conversation with Keith Stokes, celebrating Black History Month and the Freedom Riders on Sunday, February 25, 2 p.m. at the Museum. This is the first in a series of The Bristol Art Museum’s lectures and talks for the Dr. Robert Arruda Memorial Lecture Series. TICKETS MAY BE RESERVED HERE This captivating talk will delve into the intersection of art, activism, and the enduring legacy of the Freedom Riders and will be a highlight for Black History Month, paying homage to a pivotal chapter in American history. “Christine DePoto is the talented artist behind the powerful large-scale, outdoor, portraits of the Freedom Riders on Franklin Street in Bristol,” said Mary Dondero, Bristol Art Museum Curator and Board member. “Her remarkable project, an 18-month labor of love, captures the essence of the Freedom Riders through colorful, vivid portraits, drawing inspiration from historical mugshots of individuals. This endeavor delves into the courageous stories of individuals who fought for justice during the challenging era of the 1960’s. Her work not only commemorates the past but also sparks important conversations about the present and the ongoing struggle for equality.” During the artist talk, DePoto will share insights into her creative process, the challenges of capturing the essence of the Freedom Riders, and the significance of preserving their stories through art. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the subject matter, having dedicated hours to watching documentaries to ensure authenticity in her work. Levy is a retired educator and one of the developers of college civil rights archives. He frequently serves as an invited speaker at many schools and colleges in the United States and United Kingdom. In 1963 he organized a busload of fellow students to travel the famous civil rights March on Washington. A year later, he volunteered to go to Mississippi as part of Freedom Summer 1964 and served there as the coordinator of the Meridian Freedom School. Levy has published a number of articles about the Freedom Summer, and is the subject of a PBS short documentary, The Teacher. Stokes is an Advisor for Rhode Island with the National Trust for Historic Preservation along with serving on numerous regional and national historic preservation boards including Chairman of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, Vice President & Trustee of the Preservation Society for Newport County, and Newport Historical Society. Stokes is a frequent national, state and local lecturer in community & regional planning, historic preservation and interpretation with an expertise in early African and Jewish American history. HE frequently appears on national historical programs including C-SPAN, Fox News Legends & Lies, and Ted Talk. Mr. Stokes recently travelled to Ghana, Africa to deliver a lecture as part of the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The afternoon promises an engaging discussion on the historical context of the Freedom Riders, the artistic journey of a emerging artist, and the continued relevance of their struggle in today's society. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the art project's conception, and the broader implications of keeping this essential part of history alive through art. DePoto envisions expanding this impactful artwork to other cities and towns across the country, encouraging collaboration with local artists to tell the stories of the countless Freedom Riders. Her vision is not only to commemorate the past but also to inspire a collective effort in keeping the stories alive and relevant. “The community is invited to join us on February 25 at the Bristol Art Museum for a thought-provoking evening with Christine DePoto, as we celebrate Black History Month and honor the brave individuals who paved the way for a more just society,” added Dondero. The Bristol Art Museum and Roger Williams University will present BeTwixt Bach, a violin performance by Dr. Erik Rohde on Tues., Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum. The performance will include solo sonatas and partitas written by Johann Sebastian Bach. The general admission fee is $5, free for Roger Williams students and faculty and Bristol Art Museum members. Donations in support of the arts are welcome and appreciated. To attend the concert, get your Eventbrite tickets here. According to his official biography Dr. Rohde is a conductor, violinist, and educator, who performs domestically and internationally in Europe and Asia. He currently serves as the Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Northern Iowa, the Music Director of the Winona Symphony Orchestra (MN), and the founding artistic director of the Salomon Chamber Orchestra. Exhibit at the Rogers Free Library Invites Artists to Share Works Influenced by the Different Seasons The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a call for art for a new juried, community exhibit that invites artists to share their seasonal interpretative work of chronological, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, or spiritual seasons for an exhibit that will be on view in the Community Galleries of the Library from Mon., Jan. 22 to Fri. Feb. 23, 2024. Impressionist artist Stephanie Stroud will serve as juror for the exhibit. The exhibit’s theme is influenced by the writings of Henry David Thoreau and poet, philosopher, songwriter and philanthropist Gugu Mona. Thoreau once wrote, “ Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” Mona wrote, “Each season is unique yet so important, so cherish the seasons in your life.” Both of these writers reflect upon how the different seasons influence their unique perspectives on life. Through this exhibit, artists are invited to do the same.” Artists are invited to submit their works of art on the Museum website. “Since the beginning of time, writers, artists, philosophers and poets have reflected on and interpreted the changing seasons as they complement changes in one’s life,” said Vicky McGrath, Bristol Art Museum Board Member. “Artists are invited to continue this timeless tradition to share with others how they, as individuals, interpret the changing seasons and how those changes influence their daily lives.” All artwork must be submitted on the Bristol Art Museum website by Mon., Jan. 8. Artists whose work is selected will be notified by email no later than Sat., Jan. 13. Intake of accepted works will be accepted at the Rogers Free Library, lower level, Wed., Jan. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Thurs., Jan. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. Drawings, paintings, printing making, collage, fiber arts or photography only are accepted for this exhibit and must be 18 inches by 24 inches or smaller. All works must be original and artists are welcome to make their works available for sale. No commissions will be taken by the Museum. Stroud earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design where she majored in illustration. A fiber artist who “paints with wool,” she creates impressionistic felted paintings inspired by nature. Primarily a landscape artist, Stroud is inspired by the variation in landscape that the world around us offers. Stroud exhibits her work at regional art shows including the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour. She is a Custom Framing Designer at Riverside Art in Somerset Massachusetts and is currently the Membership Chair for South Coast Artists. BRISTOL, Rhode Island - The Bristol Art Museum announces its current exhibit titled, 19 on Paper-35 Years, an exhibit featuring works of art featuring or created on paper. The exhibit, comprised of the work of more than 20 area artists is on view until Sun. Jan. 14 at the Museum. Established in 1986, 19 on Paper is an organization of New England artists who create works of art of on or with paper. Members are painters, collage artists, printmakers, book artists, photographers, digital artists, and sculptors. The group has exhibited extensively in galleries and museums in New England and abroad. Individual artists of 19 on Paper have exhibited worldwide and several are published in a variety of print media. “Art is created in many forms, however, paper is among the simplest and yet most profound materials from which to create,” said Museum Curator. “19 on Paper celebrates artists who appreciate the versatility and boundless creative opportunities of paper as an artistic medium. The Museum is pleased to offer the community another unique and engaging exhibit to broaden Bristol’s cultural offerings.” The exhibit features the works of Suzi Ballenger, Grace Bentley-Scheck, Jill Brody, Lorraine Bromley, Sally Caswell, Alma Davenport, David DeMelim, Cynthia DiDonato, Mary Dondero, Sharon D. Eisman, Kendra Ferreira, Milisa Galazzi, Ann-Marie Gillett, B.L. Green, Brooke Hammerle, Joan Hausrath, Cindy Horovitz Wilson, Judith Jacobs, Paul M. Murray, Aldona Sabalis, Hiroko Shikashio, Brian Simas, Toby Sisson, Kristin Street, Felicia Touhey, Joe Yoffa, Marion Wilner, and CC Wolf. The Bristol Art Museum is sponsoring an exhibit at the Rogers Free Library featuring the work of jurors who have judged Bristol Art Museum exhibits over the past two years at the Library. The nine artists have been invited to display their work in a group show in the Community Galleries of the Library from Tues., Oct. 10 to Wed., Nov. 29. Artists to be featured in the exhibit include Carol Strause FitzSimonds; Cindy Wilson; Jeanne Cardarelli Raimondi; Kathy Hodge; Rina Naik, Melanie dai Medeiros, Anne Tait, Elizabeth O’Connell, and Mark Wholey. “The Bristol Art Museum is pleased to feature in a group exhibit the creative expressions of jurors for its previous shows,” said Vicky McGrath, Bristol Art Museum Board Member. “This exhibit in the Community Galleries of the Rogers Free Library provides another venue in Bristol to showcase the arts and culture of our community. We again thank the artists for their participation in this exhibit to enhance the local arts offerings in the East Bay.” The exhibit also includes a sculpture, “Woman Reading Without a Chair” created by artist Mark Wholey. The 8’ tall painted wood figure “puts an image to how a good read can be magical and transport the reader to another realm, another reality, another place in time,” said Wholey. “At the same time, referencing by extension, to the Earth’s gravity leading to the importance of the Earth and how it supports the balance of life.” Bristol Art Museum Presents a New Exhibit Celebrating the Cultural Identity of the East Bay9/13/2023 The Bristol Art Museum announces a new exhibit, "A Small Point of Land," a juried exhibit of artists living and/or working in the communities on the East Bay. The exhibit will be on display from Sat., Sept. 23 to Sat., Oct. 28. An artist's reception is scheduled for Sun., Sept. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. Local painter, Michele Poirier Mozzone, served as the juror for this exhibit which included more than 130 submissions for consideration. "A Small Point of Land" celebrates the cultural identity of Rhode Island, particularly the East Bay area, which is intimately connected to the surrounding waterways and the Atlantic Ocean. The exhibit's title is inspired by the word "Narragansett," meaning "a small point of land" in the indigenous language. Artists were invited to explore their relationship to place, creating artworks that delve into the complexities of forming identity, spiritual experiences, psychological connections, and the intertwining of past, present, and future. “I am honored to have been invited by The Bristol Art Museum to act as juror for this meaningful community exhibition,” said Poirier Mozzone. “The works submitted ran the gamut from representational to abstract, painting to printmaking, sculpture to photography. The prospect of thinning out so many wonderful entries into a cohesive exhibit celebrating the East Bay area was daunting. I commend each artist who submitted work to this show and applaud the obvious love of this area that inspires them to create. I gave my full attention to each entry before making final decisions about which pieces would be selected. Accepted or not, congratulations to each artist who felt inspired, created the work, photographed it, made the entry deadline and crossed their fingers. Bravo! It was a joy to see so many original expressions, so many viewpoints, such appreciation for this very special ‘Small Point of Land.’ ” “This showcase of artwork is a captivating collection of images that convey a strong sense of place and emotions associated with our proximity to Narragansett Bay,” said Museum Curator Mary Dondero. “On behalf of the Museum, we express our gratitude to juror, Michele Poirier Mozzone, who meticulously evaluated all of the submissions from incredibly talented artists. Her task was certainly demanding, and she noted that the competition was fierce, with numerous remarkable artworks vying for inclusion.” The juror, Poirier Mozzone, is renowned for her captivating figurative work. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her series of paintings entitled "Fractured Light." Her work is represented by galleries in Venice, Italy; New York City, New York; Connecticut; and Maine. A graduate of Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Poirier Mozzone primarily worked in watercolor and pastel for years. While she still delights in the inherent beauty of both mediums, Poirier Mozzone has expanded her style to oil paint. The exhibit includes work from artists who live or work in Bristol; Barrington; Cambridge, Mass.; East Providence; Gales Ferry, Ct.; Jamestown; Little Compton, Middletown; Portsmouth; Riverside; Saunderstown; South Kingstown; Tiverton; Warren; and Warwick. The Bristol Art Museum today announced that it is the recipient of a grant to improve exhibit spaces in one of its galleries. The lighting in the Museum’s Livingston Gallery was last changed during the original restoration of the building. This exhibit area is where local and national artists’ artwork is showcased. Since installation, the lighting has aged. Rhode Island State Representatives June Speakman (Bristol - Warren) and Susan Donovan (Bristol-Prudence Island) secured a $1,500 Legislative Grant to upgrade lighting to energy-efficient LED lighting that will more effectively showcase artists’ work. “Nonprofit arts organizations such as the Bristol Art Museum make immeasurable contributions to the East Bay area, which offers several arts and culture destinations,” said Rep. Speakman. “We are pleased to support this arts organization that works tirelessly to bring the work of local, regional and national artists to Rhode Island for the viewing and enjoyment of those with an affinity for art. This grant is a great example of how the legislature can support local nonprofits that offer so much to the people of Rhode Island.” “Living in a community with active arts organizations enhances the quality of life in Bristol,” said Rep. Donovan. “The Art Museum’s presence here has contributed to our standing as a destination town serving visitors and local inhabitants alike. We are happy to be able to support ongoing improvements to the space.” “The Bristol Art Museum offers its sincere gratitude to Representatives Speakman and Donovan for securing this needed grant to enhance exhibit space in our Livingston Gallery,” said Mary Dondero, Museum Curator. “This particular gallery often exhibits works from local and regional artists. With this grant, we can enhance the space to properly showcase artwork.” Rep. Speakman has served District 68, which includes Warren and Bristol, since 2019. A champion of affordable housing, she is a former college professor at Rutgers University and the Claremont Colleges. Rep. Speakman currently serves as a faculty member in Roger Williams University’s Department of Politics and International Relations. Rep. Donovan has served District 69, which includes Bristol and Prudence Island, since 2016. A retired health and physical education teacher who taught hundreds of Bristol children during her thirty-five years of service is a former Bristol Art Museum board member. Rep. Donovan is Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee and member of the Education, Oversight and Veterans Affairs Committees. The Bristol Art Museum, founded in 1964, is a nonprofit organization located at 10 Wardwell Street in Bristol, Rhode Island. Its mission is to encourage the creation, promotion, and appreciation of the arts through rotating exhibitions and educational opportunities. Community outreach programs and partnerships are central to our goal of engaging diverse audiences in the arts of our time. The Museum enriches the cultural life of the community and region through eclectic exhibitions and educational programs The Bristol Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, Tensions: New Directions in Fiber Art. This captivating exhibit showcases the works of 36 innovative and talented Rhode Island-based contemporary fiber artists, exploring new frontiers in the realm of fiber art.
The exhibit opens on Sun. Jul. 23 and will be on view until Sat., Sept. 9. An opening reception will be held on Mon., Aug. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., providing an opportunity for visitors to meet the artists and gain deeper insights into their artistic process. Curated by renowned local art expert, Allison Wilbur, Tensions brings together an impressive collection of artists who are pushing the boundaries of their medium. Embracing the diverse possibilities of fiber art, the exhibition features a captivating array of textiles, sculptural installations, mixed media compositions, and immersive experiences that challenge traditional notions of what constitutes fiber art. “Fiber Arts have long been woven into our history and culture as an integral part of daily life,” shared Guest Curator Allison Wilbur. “From utilitarian pieces such as clothing and bedding to decorative arts, women, in particular, have expressed themselves through fiber. Today's contemporary fiber artists take time-honored techniques and traditions and elevate and reshape them to create new forms that reflect our ever-changing world.” Speaking to the rich textile history in Rhode Island, local artists have created works based in the textile traditions of weaving, quilting, crochet, basketry, rug hooking and garment making. Moving away from the utilitarian, this new fiber art speaks to critical issues like the environment, the status of women, and self-realization. In addition to the featured fiber artists displayed in the exhibit, the local art quilt group, Rhode Island Threads, will display a collection of quilts created in the style of Japanese scrolls. Art quilters use several techniques including fabric dyeing and painting, hand and machine stitching, embroidery and embellishment with found materials to create wall hangings similar to paintings but with the texture and feel of quilts. The artwork displayed in Tensions is paired with historic artifacts, including weaving tools, an antique quilt, photographs and memorabilia. These artifacts evoke the roots from which this new artwork has sprung; the hands of the past that passed these cherished techniques down through the generations. Stitching global textiles, color combinations, and design elements together with traditional American piecing, Wilbur creates art quilts that celebrate the international language of fiber shared by women around the world. She is an internationally recognized curator of fiber art exhibits, with an eye to raising awareness of global women’s issues. Wilbur’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues including the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations Visitor Center in New York, the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Human Rights Gallery at Kean University in Union New Jersey, the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts, and in major national quilt festivals and art galleries. |