2014 The Big Works Part 2 Riverzedge Arts at the Atrium Gallery New Visions New Curators Series

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts presents the "2014 The Big Works, Part 2 Riverzedge Arts" at the Atrium Gallery @ One Capitol Hill. This exhibit is part of the New Visions New Curators Mentoring Series Program. The Big Works, Part 2 is a collection of works that continues to explore the varying themes of the artistic, cultural, environmental, and design-based endeavors youth pursue in the Arts & Business program at Riverzedge Arts. The artists and designers worked to uncover personal narratives through the lens of contemporary art and artists, designed abatement systems to improve stormwater runoff, designed minimal ways to convey signs and signifies, created a photographic essay on what it means to be an artist at Riverzedge, and printed their views on state pride and apparel design. Combined, these works give the viewer a glimpse into the thoughts, process, and conceptual frameworks these artists grapple with daily.

Riverzedge Arts provides innovative pathways to success for underserved youth and their communities through artistic creation, disciplined effort, and economic self-reliance. Riverzedge works with the community and our youth to develop projects that improve the quality of culture and place through large- and small-scale public art and place making strategies. We work with several community partners, including the City of Woonsocket to help re-imagine and restart the economic engine of the great city using its natural resources in tandem with well-designed public and cultural spaces through the lens of youth voice and design.

Participating Artists: Aaron Perry-Williams, Carla Nunez-Hernandez, Kerri Coveney, Alanis Burgos, Ana Arias, Tanya Emmons, Vanesa Emmons, Emmanuela Alobwede, Gavin Richard, Raina McDermott, Sol Espinosa, Temitope Ogunwumi, Melissa Duffy, Abigail Shobajo, Emily Tilano, Olivia Bresnahan, Janee Vigne, Alyssa Dubeau, Gracie McGovern, Cara Cote, D’ondre Motley, Chant Smith, Nicole Colon, Raquel Cuandrado, Elvin Torres

Partnerships: Riverzedge Arts, For more information visit http://riverzedgearts.org

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.

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