2024 Art Connection R.I. "Connecting Art with Lives" Exhibition Atrium Gallery

RISCA presents Art Connection Rhode Island “Connecting Lives with Art” Exhibition, on display May 2- July 10 at RISCA’s Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill, main floor, state’s Administration Building in Providence. The exhibition features original artworks from local and/or regional artist donors and include works in acrylic and oil paintings, mixed media and collage work, photographs, prints, and monotypes.

The Opening Reception is on Thursday, June 13, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., in the Atrium Gallery, first floor of the state’s Administration Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence. There will be a Meet the Artist on Thursday, June 20, noon-1 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

The performers for the opening reception will be John Christopher Brooks, Providence and John DeBossu, Pawtucket, of Brooks and DeBossu.

Official Bio (provided by the organization)

The idea for Art Connection R.I. was originally formulated in 1995 by artist and philanthropist, Fay Chandler. Fay was to be featured in a major retrospective exhibit of her work at the Boston Center for the Arts. Of the many works in the show, she thought, surely not everything will sell, and there's no point in bringing the remaining pieces back to sit in storage at the studio. Why not donate whatever is left at the end of the show to groups in the community who couldn't otherwise afford to buy art, so it can be seen and enjoyed?

Letters went out, and nonprofit agencies came during the last week of the exhibit to select a piece of art. And from that simple act, the Art Connection's placement program was born. Inspired by the Art Connection in Boston, Wendy Ingram founded Art Connection Rhode Island (ACRI) in 2011. Wendy is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and an artist. When living in Boston, she was a volunteer with the Art Connection and founded the Rhode Island chapter after moving to Pawtucket.

The Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill was developed to exhibit the work of Rhode Island artists in the State Capitol Complex. It hosts exhibits on a rotating basis, in partnership with several state agencies & organizations. The art gallery enhances Capitol Hill as a destination point for visitors, as well as for the many people who visit Administration offices or attend conferences at One Capitol Hill. It also enriches the work environment for the hundreds of state workers who spend their workday 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