2017 State Native American Art Exhibit at Atrium Gallery New Visions New Curator Series

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts presents the "2017 State Native American Art Exhibit" at the Atrium Gallery @ One Capitol Hill. This exhibit is part of the New Visions New Curators Mentoring Series Program.

Curator: Yolanda Smith

Curator Bio: Yolanda “Yani” Smith, of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, is an artisan of Northern Eastern quill and beadwork, who mixes traditional and contemporary art form to connect the past and the present. Yolanda’s attention to detail and collaboration with the previous curators have given way to this synergetic exhibit that, like her artistic approach, combines the past with the present.

Participating Artists: Geraldine Barney, Willow Casanova, Nancy Brown Garcia, Graham Gruner, Eleanor Dove Harris, Heebe-Tee-Tse Lee, Emily Manning, Julia Marden, Nycole Matthews, Deborah Spears Moorehead, Angel Beth Smith, Yolanda Smith, Loren Spears, Robin S. Spears Jr.

Performances: Eastern Medicine Singers, Nettukkusqk Singers, Geraldine Barney; Dawn Dove (Blessing)

Partnerships: Previous Native American Curators- Angel Beth Smith, Dawn M. Spears, Loren Spears, Deborah Spears Moorehead

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 Native American Art Exhibit
The Native American Art Exhibition holds the distinction of being the first Regional Intertribal state art exhibit in partnership with Native American nonprofit organizations and artists. It is through these artworks that traditions, both old and new, evoke a story of cultural preservation. These exhibitions feature beautifully crafted folk and traditional art pieces, as well as newly created contemporary artwork.

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