BRISTOL, RI - The Bristol Art Museum is pleased to announce an engaging lecture on the complex history of a stained glass window discovered in Warren.
In an interesting exploration of Rhode Island's historical and cultural tapestry, the "1877 Black Gospel Window Conversation" lecture will take place on Sun., Apr. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Museum featuring lecturer Hadley Arnold, owner of the former St. Mark's Church, and Catherine Zipf, PhD, Director of the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society.
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BRISTOL, R.I. - The Bristol Art Museum announces a collection of artwork created by its members at the Blithewold’s art gallery: ‘Singular Focus: Bristol Art Museum Takes Root at Blithewold. Artists were asked to submit works of art that highlight the idea of singular focus within a composition. The exhibit, on display at Blithewold Mansion, 101 Old Ferry Rd, Bristol, is on view from Sat. Mar. 30 to Sun. May 12. An Artists’ Reception will take place on Sun. Apr. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. “Blithewold’s art gallery is a wonderful space to showcase the depth of talent and creativity of our member artists,” said Lynn Moran, Bristol Art Museum Board member. ”Through this exhibit, artists embrace the art of selective focus, using it as a tool to convey depth, emotion, and narrative.” Whether it's a lone figure against a nuanced backdrop or a distinct element standing out in a larger grouping—picture a solitary lilac bush amidst a field of daffodils or a lone shell on an expansive beach—artists were encouraged to explore the potency of composition. Submitted works include drawings, paintings, prints, collages, fiber art, photography, mixed media, and more. About the Bristol Art Museum (BAM): The Bristol Art Museum is dedicated to promoting the arts and fostering a vibrant cultural community in Bristol and beyond. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, BAM strives to inspire creativity and enrich lives. About Blithewold Mansion: Blithewold Mansion is a historic estate and arboretum located in Bristol, Rhode Island. Set amidst 33 acres of lush gardens and waterfront beauty, Blithewold offers a stunning backdrop for special events, educational programs, and cultural experiences. BRISTOL, Rhode Island - In collaboration with the spring 2024 Bristol Bookfest, The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a new juried community exhibit - Hold Fast; Stay True - through which artists visually interpret the substance and themes of Moby Dick. The exhibit will showcase a collection of visual art inspired by the timeless literary narrative and be on display in the Community Gallery of the Library from Thurs., Mar. 28, to Wed., May 1. Art historian and the Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Chair for the Chief Curator and the Director of Museum Learning at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Naomi Slipp served as juror for the exhibit. Organizers of the 2024 Bristol Bookfest selected the American classic Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville, as their literary selection. According to the Bristol Bookfest, founders Joanna Ziegler and Charles Calhoun believed that the town of Bristol would enjoy a new community event during the late winter and early spring period. The organizers share that the Bookfest is not simply a book club, but rather an opportunity for individuals to gather and engage with college faculty with expertise in a particular field of study. “The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library are pleased to offer this juried community exhibit to complement the wonderful work of the Bristol Bookfest,” explained Vicky McGrath, Bristol Art Museum Board Member. ”This exhibit encourages a reflection on the primary themes of Moby Dick. We are proud of the response to the call for art for this exhibit which includes artistic interpretations of whaling, sea life, and all things nautical.” As an accomplished art historian and Bristol native, Slipp's expertise lies in American art and the global circulation of knowledge. She holds a doctorate from Boston University and a master’s from the University of Chicago. Her impressive resume includes roles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, MFA Boston, Roger Williams University, Terra Foundation for American Art, Harvard Art Museums, and a tenured Associate Professor of Art History at Auburn University at Montgomery, AL. Her curator credits at the Whaling Museum include notable exhibitions such as Turn the Tide: Courtney Mattison (2021) and Re/Framing the View: Nineteenth-Century American Landscapes (2022). As Spring Approaches, Artists Invited to Welcome the Infusion of Light and Color to Brighten their World BRISTOL, Rhode Island - The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a call for art for a new juried community exhibit - A Glimmer of Light, A Splash of Color! - that invites artists to explore the transformative power of light and color against a backdrop of monotony, sparking the imagination and infusing life into the canvas. The exhibit will showcase a collection of visual art in the Community Gallery of the Library from May 13 to July 10. Artists and sculptor Kristin Street will serve as juror for the exhibit. Submissions are due by Apr. 22 at http://www.bristolartmuseum.org/call-for-art.html. Online registration will open soon. “A Glimmer of Light, A Splash of Color! encourages artists to break free from the monotony of winter and embrace the vibrant energy of spring,” said Vicky McGrath, Bristol Art Museum Board Member. “By incorporating one or two tones of a background of color and contrasting it with a splash of vivid hues, artists can explore the dynamic interplay between light and color, breathing life into their creations.” Street is an artist and educator with a rich background in the arts. Having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Textile Design from The Rhode Island School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts degree from The Maryland Institute College of Art, Street has made significant contributions to the arts community through teaching and promoting the works of fellow artists. Her expertise and passion for art promise to bring depth and insight to the selection process. “As an artist, I have dedicated my life to both creating art and fostering artistic communities, from founding the Krause Gallery to establishing The Mill Gallery in Pawtucket,” said Street. “Today, I find solace and inspiration in the serene landscapes of Foster, Rhode Island, and the sun-kissed shores of Palm Harbor, Florida, where I continue to weave my creative tapestry for the world to behold. Throughout my career, I have dedicated considerable time and energy to teaching and promoting the efforts of fellow artists, while maintaining a consistent exhibition schedule." All submissions must be made through the Bristol Art Museum website by Mon., Apr. 22. The exhibition welcomes a diverse range of artistic mediums, including drawing, Painting, printmaking, collage, fiber arts, and photography. However, please note that three-dimensional works will not be considered for this particular exhibit. Works cannot be larger than 18 inches by 24 inches and must be original. The Bristol Art Museum (BAM) is thrilled to announce an exclusive opportunity for its artist members to exhibit their works at Blithewold’s art gallery. “Hosted at Blithewold, with its magnificent mansion and arboretum overlooking Narragansett Bay, this exhibit provides a unique setting for your work,” said Mary Dondero, Curator and Bristol Art Museum Board Member. “Recognizing the depth of talent among our members, we eagerly look forward to receiving their works of art and collectively celebrating each Museum’s artist member’s creativity.” Key Details:
Accepting Mediums: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Collage, Fiber Art, Photography, Quilling & Mixed Media. (Please note: No sculpture or video works at this time.) Submission Guidelines:
Join Us: Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to showcase your artwork in the historic setting of Blithewold Mansion. We look forward to celebrating the talent and creativity of our artist members. About Bristol Art Museum (BAM): The Bristol Art Museum is dedicated to promoting the arts and fostering a vibrant cultural community in Bristol and beyond. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, BAM strives to inspire creativity and enrich lives. About Blithewold Mansion: Blithewold Mansion is a historic estate and arboretum located in Bristol, Rhode Island. Set amidst 33 acres of lush gardens and waterfront beauty, Blithewold offers a stunning backdrop for special events, educational programs, and cultural experiences. Bristol Art Museum Invites Artists to Reflect On and Interpret the American Classic Moby Dick in Collaboration with the Bristol Bookfest In collaboration with the spring 2024 Bristol Bookfest, The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a call for art for a new juried community exhibit - Hold Fast; Stay True - that invites artists to visually interpret the substance and themes of Moby Dick. The exhibit will showcase a collection of visual arts inspired by the timeless literary narrative and will be on display in the Community Gallery of the Library from Thurs., Mar. 28, to Wed., May 1. Art historian and the Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Chair for the Chief Curator and the Director of Museum Learning at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Naomi Slipp will serve as juror for the exhibit. “The title of this exhibit, Hold Fast; Stay True, encapsulates a nautical tenet urging individuals to secure themselves and stay the course amid a storm,” explained Vicky McGrath, Bristol Art Museum Board Member. “Artists are invited to delve into passages from Moby Dick, exploring and interpreting literal representations of this literary classic. The focus of this exhibit lies in visions associated with whaling, sea life, and all things nautical. Artists are encouraged to navigate towards a more esoteric view of obsession, unbridled vengeance, despair, or the descent into madness.” All submissions must be made through the Bristol Art Museum website by Mon., Mar. 4. Selected artists will receive notification via email no later than Sat., Mar. 9. The intake of accepted works will occur at the Library, lower level, on Sat., Mar. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., and Mon., Mar. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. For this exhibit, only drawings, paintings, printmaking, collage, fiber arts, or photography are accepted, and all submissions must measure 18 inches by 24 inches or smaller. All artwork must be original, and artists are welcome to make their work available for sale, with no commissions taken by the Museum or Library. As an accomplished art historian and Bristol native, Slipp's expertise lies in American art and the global circulation of knowledge. She holds a doctorate from Boston University and a master’s from the University of Chicago. Her impressive resume includes roles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, MFA Boston, Roger Williams University, Terra Foundation for American Art, Harvard Art Museums, and a tenured Associate Professor of Art History at Auburn University at Montgomery, AL. Her curator credits at the Whaling Museum include notable exhibitions such as Turn the Tide: Courtney Mattison (2021) and Re/Framing the View: Nineteenth-Century American Landscapes (2022). The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a new juried, community exhibit in which artists share their seasonal interpretative work of chronological, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical, or spiritual seasons. Art For All Seasons is on view in the Community Galleries of the Library until Fri. Feb. 23, 2024. Impressionist artist Stephanie Stroud served as juror for the exhibit. “As an artist myself, I have an awareness of how different works of art can appear when viewed on a screen versus in person, and this experience has only confirmed for me how important it is to see art in person,” said Stroud. “Nuance, scale, texture and color can only truly be conveyed live which made choosing works to be recognized in person so important. I particularly enjoyed my time at the Community Gallery at Rogers Free Library viewing the works and the experience of jurying this exhibit and am grateful to have been asked.” Rhode Island artists whose artwork was recognized as a ‘Work of Distinction’ in this exhibit include Wendy Anctil, Riverside; Dianne Burns, Seekonk, MA; Bonnie Jaffe, Barrington; Pat Warwick, Warren; Carolyn Winter, Bristol; and Jennifer Wright, Riverside. The writings of Henry David Thoreau and poet, philosopher, songwriter and philanthropist Gugu Mona influenced the exhibit’s theme. 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.” 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. 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. 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. |