Bristol Art Museum Presents a New Exhibit Celebrating the Cultural Identity of the East Bay

Coastal Walk by Marc Jaffe

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.  

---