2017 Artists Loop Art Exhibit and Memory Quilt Collage Project at the Atrium Gallery

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts presents the "2017 Artists Loop Art Exhibit and Memory Quilt-Collage Project" at the Atrium Gallery @ One Capitol Hill. This exhibit is part of the New Visions New Curators Program, curated by Pnina Pressburger founder of the Artists Loop, features juried works from artists who participated in the Artist Loop: Memory Quilt-Collage Project, juried by Michele Leavit. The Memory Quilt-Collage began in 2015 as a way to collaborate with textile and collage artists in the production of experimental, mixed-media art. To curate the exhibit at the Atrium Gallery, Pnina Pressburger invited artists who works complement the juried part of the exhibit.

The Artists Loop is a program to curate displays and events, connect artists with the public for the purpose of offering face-to-face space for conversation, exchange feedback, and challenge each other. Participants gather to share work and talk about art. Invited artists make presentations and share their experiences as artists.

Curator: Pnina Pressburger

Curator Statement: Pnina Pressburger grew up in Jerusalem, Israel, where she attended Hebrew University. Ever since she moved to Providence, RI, she has been developing her skills in artistic expression by enrolling in various art classes offered in the city, including classes in the Continuing Education program at the Rhode Island School of Design. Following her solo exhibition titled Threading for Survival at the Rochambeau Library, Pnina was the curator for a community-wide textile exhibit titled Netting to Knitting in the Community Room of the Rochambeau Library. This curatorial experience led Pnina to found and develop the Artists Loop program.

Participating Artists: Abigail McGuire, Angel Dean, Brienne Brown, Chelsae Biggs, Diana Carns, Ed Lyman Rondeau, Hiroko Shikashio, Karen Drysdale Harris, Keith Fox, Kim Fox, Laura Petrovich-Cheney, Laura White Carpenter, Lizzy Synalovski, Lorraine Bromley, Maria Reinbergs, Margaret Lee, Maria Del Carmen Mercado, Marklyn P. Champagne, Michele Chrisholm Leavitt, Nathan Gurvitch, Pnina Pressburger, Robin Halpren-Ruder, Suzanne Munroe, Thea Ernest.

Partnerships: The Artists Loop

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