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The Bristol Art Museum presents Bull in the China Shop, a dynamic and thought-provoking exhibit on view from Sun., May 11 through Sat., June 28. Featuring a compelling mix of functional and nonfunctional ceramics alongside striking two-dimensional artworks, the exhibit invites viewers to consider how artists interpret themes of fragility, tension, and resilience through visual form.
An Artist Reception will be held on Sunday, May 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Museum. All are welcome. Bull in the China Shop challenges traditional notions of form, function, and artistic value, from meticulously crafted vessels to fractured ceramic shards and expressive paintings. The participating artists navigate powerful dualities—elegance and rupture, refinement and rebellion—through works that are as conceptually rich as they are visually arresting. “Bull in the China Shop invites us to consider not only what is broken, but what endures,” said Mary Dondero, Museum Board Member and Curator. “The artists in this exhibit push boundaries—material and concepts—to uncover unexpected strength in fragility. This exhibit is about tension—not just in the artwork, but in the ideas behind it.” As a special feature, visitors can explore The Collector’s Nook, a curated space in the Museum’s Brick Gallery showcasing ceramics and artwork available for purchase, all created by the exhibiting artists. Artists featured in the exhibit include Jillian Barber, Rena Bidney, Ian Buchbiner, Rose Esson Dawson, Lindsey Epstein, Michael Ezell, Kendra Ferreira, Nyala Honda, Elizabeth Kendall, Denis Leonti, Michele McRoberts, Rachel Mulcahy, Elena Obelenus, Marilyn Perry, Preston Saunders, Christopher T. Terry, and Gilbert Travers.
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Bristol Art Museum to Host Collective Consciousness, Annual RWU Visual Art Students’ Exhibit4/16/2025  The Bristol Art Museum, in partnership with the Visual Arts Department at Roger Williams University, presents Collective Consciousness, a Visual Arts Exhibition by Class of 2025 visual arts students. On view from April 14 through May 2, this dynamic exhibition showcases the capstone projects of graduating seniors in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, fibers, and mixed media.
A free opening reception will be held on Thurs., Apr. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Museum, offering an opportunity to meet the student-artists and experience their culminating works. “The title Collective Consciousness speaks to the strength of these students’ voices when considered in unison,” said Michael Rich, Professor of Visual Arts at Roger Williams University. “While each student’s work is deeply individual, there is a powerful cohesion in how they address the challenges and complexities of the world around them and the time in which they live.” Collective Consciousness highlights the accomplishments of a diverse and thoughtful group of student-artists. The exhibition explores themes of identity, personal history, and the social and political issues that influence the artists' lives and practices. Each work is a deeply personal reflection, and the pieces express a shared awareness, perspective, and vision among this new generation of creatives. “The Bristol Art Museum is proud to again host the senior exhibition from Roger Williams University’s talented visual arts students,” said Mary Dondero, Bristol Art Museum board member and exhibit coordinator. “Collective Consciousness not only celebrates the technical skill and conceptual development of each artist, but also captures the energy, urgency, and introspection that define this moment in their creative lives. The Museum is pleased to partner with the university to witness the emerging voices shaping the future of contemporary art.” Participating Roger Williams University student-artists include: Violet Aitken, Mia Bouchier, Soraya Bussatti-Espanol, Christian Calabro, Angel Deschamps, Libni Fajardo, Eitan Hirshfield, Kelly Hochenberger, Reilly Hummell, Jill Lemieux, Ariana Medina, Carolyn Narahara, Lucy Tecca, Caroline Toli, and Chloe Tozier The exhibit is free for RWU students and Museum members; $5 for general admission. For more information, please visit www.bristolartmuseum.org.  The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a call for art for Into the Garden: Art Depicting Cultivated Nature, an exhibit that examines the intersection of nature, beauty, and human creativity. The exhibit will be on view in the Community Galleries at the library from Mon., Apr. 28 to Wed. Jun. 11. Barbara Edlund Healy, a juried member of the National Association of Women Artists and the Cape Cod Art Center, will serve as the exhibit’s juror.
This exhibit seeks original works of art that reflect personal interpretations of the garden—whether large or small, organized or wild, ornamental or functional. Artists are encouraged to think about the garden as a space that bridges human artistry with the natural world. What makes a garden inviting or useful? What flora, fauna, and imaginative elements fill these spaces? These are some of the questions artists are invited to explore through their submissions. "A garden is a canvas where beauty and purpose come together. Whether it's a small flower bed or a sprawling field, gardens reflect the harmony between nature and creativity,” said Karen Rich, a member of the Bristol Art Museum/ Rogers Free Library Committee. “We invite artists to explore their personal definition of a garden — from the plants and flowers that thrive there to the animals and objects that make it a welcoming space. This exhibit is an opportunity to showcase how gardens can be both artistic and functional, wild and serene." Healy is a Connecticut native who studied textile design at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and draws inspiration from the landscapes and gardens of the South Coast. Her work reflects her deep connection to the rhythms of nature and its integration into artistic expression. Submission Details: Artists 18 and older may submit up to three works. Submission fees for Museum Members are $20 for one submission and $30 for two. For non-members, $25 for one submission and $40 for two. Works must be submitted online here by midnight on Mon., Mar. 31, 2025. Final selections will be announced by Fri., Apr. 11. Artwork Requirements: Original works only, sized for ease of shipping, and ready for installation with plexiglass or shatterproof materials (no glass). Accepted media include drawings, paintings, printmaking, collage, fiber arts, or photography. No 3-D works (e.g. sculpture) will be accepted. Artwork must not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in size and be ready to install with a wire on the back Additional details can be found on the Museum website. For more information or questions, please contact [email protected].  Exhibit at the Rogers Free Library Invites Artists to Share
Works Influenced by Their Emotional Resonance of Travel Experience BRISTOL, Rhode Island - The Bristol Art Museum announces a call for art for its upcoming photography exhibit, “Where in the World,” a unique exploration of travel and personal perspective in the Community Galleries of the Rogers Free Library. The exhibit, which will run from Jun. 23 to Aug. 6, invites artists to reflect on the emotional, artistic, and intellectual significance of places they have visited through the lens of their cameras. This exhibit is inspired by the words of short story writer and novelist Eudora Welty, who once said, “Through travel, I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.” Photographs submitted will reflect destinations that left a profound impact on the artist, capturing the essence of a location’s beauty, contradictions, or unexpected revelations. "‘Where in the World’ invites photographers to share the places they've seen, but the emotions and insights those journeys have inspired,” said Amy Carreiro, a member of the Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library Committee. “This exhibit is about capturing the profound connection between place and personal experience, revealing how travel shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves.” The juror for the exhibit, Lisa Bergeron, is a celebrated photographer whose work draws inspiration from her extensive travels. Through her evocative use of light, texture, and color, Bergeron tells visual stories that spark curiosity and encapsulate the emotional depth of a moment. Her work has been featured at numerous esteemed galleries across Rhode Island, including the RI Center for Photographic Arts, the Newport Photo Guild, and the Blithewold Gallery. All artwork must be submitted on the Bristol Art Museum website by Mon., Apr. 21. All submissions must be original photographic works and no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches. Artwork must be ready for display with a wire on the back. Artists must be 18 years of age or older. The fee for submission for BAM members is $20 for one photograph, $30 for two. For Non-BAM members the fee for submission is $25 for one photograph and $40 for two. Juried selections will be announced via email by May 2, 2025. Selected works will be on view in the Community Gallery at Rogers Free Library through August 6, 2025. Artists are encouraged to share works that convey the emotional resonance of their travel experiences—whether through vibrant colors, striking contrasts of light and shadow, or depictions of people and objects that define the essence of a place. For more information about submission guidelines, visit www.bristolartmuseum.org. Artists with questions can contact BAM at [email protected]. The Bristol Art Museum announces Flights of Imagination, the Museum’s 2025 Members Open Exhibition at Blithewold’s Visitor Center Gallery. This year’s theme invited member artists to explore the symbolism of birds, flight, and the sky through two-dimensional artwork.
The exhibit is on view from Sat., Mar. 29 through Sun., May 11, with an Artists’ Reception on Sunday, Mar. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. "The sight of birds in flight, in particular over Narragansett Bay, is breathtaking, and this exhibit beautifully captures that sense of grace and freedom,” said Mary Dondero, Curator and Museum Board member. “Through a range of styles and interpretations, the artwork in this member’s exhibit reflects the elegance and movement of birds, inspiring viewers to appreciate both the natural beauty of Southern New England and the artistic vision it inspires. We are grateful to our members who submitted their personal interpretations of this theme that comprises the Flights of Imagination exhibit.” Flights of Imagination coincides with Blithewold’s outdoor sculpture exhibit by internationally renowned artists The Myth Makers, Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Their avian-inspired sculptures, standing between 15 to 30 feet tall and made from bamboo and upcycled materials, bring a striking complement to this year’s theme.  The Bristol Art Museum invites its members to submit artwork for the Museum’s 2025 Members Open Exhibition, Flights of Imagination, at Blithewold’s Visitor Center Gallery. This year’s theme encourages artists to explore the symbolism of birds, flight, and the sky through two-dimensional artwork. The exhibit will be on view from Sat., Mar. 29 through Sun., May 11, with an Artists’ Reception on Sunday, Mar. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m.
“From realistic depictions of avian life to abstract representations of boundless skies, Flights of Imagination provides an opportunity for artists to showcase their creativity in a stunning setting overlooking Narragansett Bay,” said Mary Dondero, Curator and Museum Board member. “Active members of the Bristol Art Museum are invited to submit one original two-dimensional artwork interpreting the exhibition’s theme. We look forward to hosting this members’ exhibit each year to showcase the depth of artistic talent found in the Museum’s community.” Flights of Imagination coincides with Blithewold’s outdoor sculpture exhibit by internationally renowned artists The Myth Makers, Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Their avian-inspired sculptures, standing between 15 to 30 feet tall and made from bamboo and upcycled materials, bring a striking complement to this year’s theme. Call for Art Details:
 Sally Canzoneri, NoMa View #1 The Bristol Art Museum (BAM) announces its 2025 National Juried Exhibition, Rock, Paper, Scissors, which celebrates the transformative potential of materials and artistic processes that evoke strength, fragility, and creativity. Featuring works by artists from across the country, the exhibition is a testament to innovation and exploration, uniting diverse styles ranging from non-objective art to abstract realism. Associate Professor and Director of the Studio Art Program at Clark University and Providence-based artist Toby Sisson served as juror for the exhibit. The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of The Brito Family Foundation and Blick Art Materials. The exhibition will be on view from Thurs. Feb. 13, through Fri., Apr. 4, 2025, at the Museum, Thurs. to Sun. each week from 1 to 4 p.m. All are invited to an Artists’ Reception on Sun., Feb. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. Awards for the exhibit will be announced at 3 p.m. “Rock, Paper, Scissors invites viewers to experience the interplay of strength and delicacy through paper as a medium and subject,” said Mary Dondero, Curator and Museum Board member. “This national exhibition features artists from more than 25 states, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives and styles. The Museum is grateful to the juror, Toby Sisson, The Brito Family Foundation and Blick Art Materials for their generous support of this unique exhibit that invited artists to explore materials and artistic processes that reflect the hard, the composite, and the delicate.” Rock, Paper, Scissors features an installation by Rhode Island’s Lisa Abbatomarco, an interdisciplinary artist celebrated for her innovative use of handmade paper in larger-than-life sculptural puppets. Abbatomarco’s work transforms paper into a medium of storytelling and wonder, embodying the themes of resilience and transformation at the heart of the exhibition.  The Bristol Art Museum announces an afternoon of film screenings and a book launch on Sun., Jan. 19, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Museum, 10 Wardwell Street. The screenings are offered in conjunction with the Museum’s current exhibit, Parallel Threads: Entangled Ends, which explores the complex relationships between textiles, culture, and history through art. Admission is free with a suggested donation. The panel discussion is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. “The screenings and book launch will include riveting discussions with the filmmakers and contributors, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of textiles and their role in influencing culture and history,” said Mary Dondero, Museum curator and board member. “ The films that will be screened include: Evolutionary Threads, Directed by Alexander Spiess Documentary filmmaker Spiess of Bend, Oregon, collaborates with Rhode Island artist Deborah Baronas to examine the enduring connection between textiles and human evolution. The film highlights Baronas’s artistic exploration of industrial and cultural narratives . The Fabric of War: Why Wool?, Directed by Trish FitzSimons Brisbane-based documentary filmmaker and social historian FitzSimons collaborates with Cranston-based curator and historian Madelyn Shaw to explore the historical role of wool in wartime economies and strategies. This compelling documentary reveals how a simple fabric played a critical role in shaping history. Australian Artist Interviews, Directed by Janis Hanley Australian filmmaker Hanley brings audiences into the studios of contemporary Australian textile artists, showcasing their creative processes and perspectives on the evolving role of textiles in art and society. The event will also feature the launch of a book, Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War by FitzSimons and Madelyn Shaw, which provides an exclusive preview of their upcoming book, set to be released in May 2025. Fleeced explores the intersections of textiles, economics, and global conflict, offering a richly woven narrative that spans centuries. Currently on view at the Bristol Art Museum, Parallel Threads: Entangled Ends explores the intricate connections between textile art and global narratives. Featuring works from an international roster of artists, the exhibit examines how textiles weave together personal stories, historical events, and cultural traditions. Through various media, from traditional weaving to contemporary installations, the exhibit underscores the enduring relevance of textiles in art and society. The exhibit is on view until Sun., Jan. 26, 2025.  "Parallel Threads – Entangled Ends" Exhibit Explores Textile Heritage and Innovation
Bristol, RI - The Bristol Art Museum announces an upcoming panel discussion, "Entangled Ends: A Textile Story," as part of its current exhibit, "Parallel Threads – Entangled Ends" on Sun., Jan. 12, at 1 p.m. at the Museum, 10 Wardwell Street to bring together industry veterans and experts to discuss the rich history and evolving future of the textile industry. The event is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. The panel discussion will feature a distinguished group of speakers, including:
"This panel discussion is an integral component of our 'Parallel Threads – Entangled Ends' exhibit,” said Mary Dondero, curator and board member of the Bristol Art Museum. “The discussion will bring together diverse voices from the textile industry, offering our community a unique opportunity to understand the complex tapestry of our industrial heritage and its ongoing evolution. We're excited to facilitate a dialogue that honors our past and looks forward to innovative and sustainable futures in textiles." The event intends to bridge the gap between the industry's historical significance and its future potential, touching on topics such as:
Bristol Art Museum Announces 2025 National Call for Art: “Rock – Paper – Scissors” Juried Exhibit11/12/2024  The Bristol Art Museum announces a national call for the upcoming juried exhibition, “Rock – Paper – Scissors.” This unique exhibit will showcase artists who creatively interpret the essence of “paper” within the theme inspired by the well-known game. While rock and scissors have their place in the game’s strategy, this exhibit specifically focuses on paper, challenging artists to engage with its strength, fragility, and transformative potential. Cash awards totaling $1,000 will be presented to selected artists.
Artist and curator Toby Sisson, M.F.A., Associate Professor and Director of the Studio Art Program at Clark University, will serve as the juror. The exhibit opens on Sun., Feb. 9, 2025, with an Artist Reception on Sun. Feb. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. The last day the exhibit will be on view is Sun., Apr. 4. “‘Rock – Paper – Scissors’ is more than a playful theme, it is an opportunity for artists from throughout the country to explore paper as both medium and message,” said Mary Dondero, Museum Curator and Board Member. “The Bristol Art Museum invites artists to examine paper’s strength and delicacy, challenging traditional perceptions and creating work that speaks to resilience and transformation.” The exhibit will also include a special installation by interdisciplinary artist Lisa Abbatomarco, who celebrates paper as a foundational material in her work, inviting audiences to experience paper in its full artistic scope. Artists nationwide are encouraged to submit original works that celebrate, question, or manipulate the properties of paper—whether as a medium or as a metaphor. Spanning from abstract to realistic styles, the exhibition seeks to unify a variety of artistic expressions that explore contrasts such as hardness and softness, resilience and delicacy, and permanence and ephemerality. Sisson’s work focuses on the history and race in America, and she brings a dynamic perspective to her role as juror. She has exhibited across the United States and internationally, with her work in public and private collections, including the Worcester Art Museum and Brown University. Submission Details Artists 18 and older may submit up to three works. Submission fees are $30 for the first entry, $40 for two entries, and $50 for three entries. Works must be submitted online here by midnight on December 20, 2024, with final selections announced in mid-January 2025. Submission criteria include:
Artists may choose to sell their work directly to interested collectors, with all sales managed independently of the Museum. The Museum will connect collectors with artists but does not take a commission. For additional inquiries or assistance with submissions, artists may contact [email protected] or call 888-666-1351. |
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