2014 State Asian Art Exhibit Connecting at the Atrium Gallery New Visions New Curator Series

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts presents the 2014 State Asian Art Exhibit, “Connecting” at the Atrium Gallery @ One Capitol Hill. This is part of the New Visions/New Curators Program, which honors the artists and curator from our diverse Asian Community that have a significant impact throughout RI and celebrates these accomplishments by highlighting the wide range of artists' talents.

History of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month
Celebrating the communities and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Asian-Pacific Heritage Week was established in 1977 by the federal government and extended to be a month-long celebration in 1992. We celebrate Rhode Island’s Asian-Pacific American communities, leaders, and cultural organizations.

Curator: Silaphone Nhongvongsouthy

Curator Statement: “I am very passionate about raising awareness and promoting Asian talent, artists, education, and culture. It’s wonderful that RISCA gives opportunities for local Asian artist to showcase their creative work through public spaces such as the Atrium Gallery”

Participating Artists: Khamera Sovann Heng, Jennifer Leo, Jyotsna Mokashi, Danny Ong, Mahendar Paul, Patcharee Phomsouvannady, Matthew Phou, Bountheng Tanakhone, Chia Y. Xiong

Performances: DJ Selphysh, Prafulla’s Academy of Dance and Music, Hmong Dance Group, Silent Grace, Bollywood Team from the India Association of RI.

Partnerships: Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island

Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) developed the Atrium Gallery to recognize talented artists from communities throughout the state. The Atrium Gallery hosts multidisciplinary exhibitions in partnership with diverse artists and cultural organizations. The gallery features a stunning tall glass ceiling with light that cascades into an open space surrounded by three walls of artwork. This has become a destination point for visitors and the many people who frequent the Administration offices at One Capitol Hill, while enriching the environment for hundreds of state workers in the building.

State Asian Art Exhibit
The Asian Art Exhibit recognizes the contributions of both visual and performing artists from China, Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and the Hmong community. These exhibits provide opportunities to develop and strengthen relationships within diverse communities, while raising awareness and promoting local Asian artists.

New Visions/New Curators Program
The Atrium Gallery encourages the development of new curators and gallery directors from diverse communities through the New Visions/New Curators Program. Artists of color are provided logistical support to curate a show by defining a theme, professionally installing the artwork, and creating marketing materials that promote the exhibit. Previous participants have curated exhibitions in local and regional galleries and museums. This highly successful program has become an incubator for new curators that promote viewpoints and voices of artists of color.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. To learn more visit www.arts.ri.gov