2014 State Black Art Exhibit at the Atrium Gallery

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts presents the "2014 State Black Art Exhibit" at the Atrium Gallery @ One Capitol Hill.

Curator: Monique Rolle-Johnson

Curator Statement: “My work is a magnificent assembling of designs, vivid colors, and expressionistic imagery. I consider myself a creative, artistic catalyst of change. My desire is to create an equilibrium in the essential elements of my work and the participation of my viewer’s five senses. I want to evoke the senses. I tempt my viewer to imagine the acts of feeling the texture, tasting the vibrancy of the color, hearing the boldness of the imagery, and smelling the image’s depth. I employ color and emotion as tour guides into art investigations referencing dignity and strength. My inspirations have deep-rooted foundations in Bahamian culture- especially the flamboyant, expressionistic festival known as “Junkanoo”. It is from this festival and the vibrant life of Bahamians that I derive my spectrum of the colors, images, and exaggeration of form. The strength of my African ancestors combined with the geographic location of my homeland are undeniable in my thematic approach. My images boldly affirm Woman-her strength, her power, her beauty, her mystique.”- Monique Rolle- Johnson

Participating Artists: Monique Rolle-Johnson, Rufus Abdullah, Anthony Abu, Ramona Bass Kolobe, Tarshire Battle, Robert Dilworth, Kyla Rae Laughlin, Nixon Leger, Free Marseille, Munir Mohammed, Cynthia Ross-Meeks, Toby Sisson, Dennis Smith, Eric Telfort, McDonald Wright

Performances: MHLC Steppers, Len Cabral, Melodie Thompson, Sarah Ashley, Mike Rollins & Company

State Black Art Exhibit
The Black Art Exhibition showcases incredible works of art from established and emerging artists who express their culture by highlighting their unique stories through a vast array of mediums including photography and painting. Starting from its initiation in 2003, the Black Art Exhibit was a partnership between the Rhode Island Department of Administration Human Resources Outreach and Diversity (HROD) Office and the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (RIBHS). This collaboration with RIBHS continued for several years, during which the Atrium Gallery attracted and showcased the works of talented artists from the black community. RISCA continues to partner with culturally specific organizations and individual artists, showcasing and celebrating the artistic talents of these communities.

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.

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