riarts

Thank you to all who attended November 21 Gallery Night!

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Visitors enjoying “BuyArt” at WaterFire Arts Center

We had so much fun during the last Gallery Night of the season!

Between the 6 free guided tours and people visiting the gallery shows on their own, we had around 421 people participate.

We had many first-time and returning Gallery Night visitors on all tours — with all delighted to discover new spaces and learn from our knowledgeable guides. Lots of young people attended tours this month, leaving us content in knowing we expanded our audience this season. 

Although the evening was rainy and chilly with traffic getting into the city, 23 people joined us from out of state. We had attendees from as far away as Ohio, Florida, and West Virginia!

Enjoy some photos and anecdotes in the recap below.

Some unexpected yet wonderfully interactive elements were incorporated on this month’s tours!

The 6:30 pm tour first stopped at Bannister Gallery at RIC and enjoyed a brief talk from artist Richard Whitten. His show, Objects of Wonder, was comprised of a selection of paintings that transport the viewer into a world of imagined architectural spaces.

This tour finished at WaterFire Arts Center, where Kyle Machado was present to speak to visitors about his work! WaterFire’s “BuyArt” show featured the work of dozens of local artists to be purchased right off the walls. As works sold they were replaced with new ones from each artist’s archive.

“I loved the first particular spot, at RIC. That was such an engaging gallery with a talk from the artist himself.”
— Stella, 6:30 tour

Word of mouth and personal connections have been among the most important means of drawing people to our events…

Gallery Night’s very own team and board have brought along many family members and friends to our programming this season, with all expressing positive feedback and some having attended as many as three Gallery Nights in 2024!

We love hosting your loved ones and hope you share Gallery Night with more of your people in 2025 :) Your participation in our programming helps Providence’s vibrant artist community continue to flourish… We can’t thank you enough for this fantastic year spent advocating for and admiring our local art scene.

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us this season <3 We had so much fun sharing the world of Providence’s creativity with you! More to come on 2025 programming… you’ll be hearing from us soon!

“A few folks mentioned they were happy to have the opportunity to see the Little Pictures Show as their final stop because they felt they would have extra time to look at everything. It was seamless and fun for us. Looking forward to the December installment.”
— Michael Rose, Gallery Manager at Providence Art Club

Thank you to all who attended October 17 Gallery Night!

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A visit to “Still Here” by Gaia

This past Gallery Night was a blast!

Between the 7 free guided tours and people visiting the gallery shows on their own, we had around 125 people participate.

We had many first-time and returning Gallery Night visitors on all tours — with all delighted to discover new spaces and learn from our knowledgeable guides. We helped one family from Pennsylvania find a parking spot for their RV in Providence so they could participate in the 6 pm tour! 

We also welcomed people from North Carolina, Florida, and of course, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Enjoy some photos and tidbits in the recap below.

“She Never Came” by BEZT

“Gallery Night Providence and The Avenue Concept : Experience the Best of Both!” was exciting and interactive for tour-goers…

Along with the beautiful visuals, everyone got to enjoy warm cocoa while learning about the artists’ processes. Members of The Avenue Concept team shared anecdotes about the work and the organization’s initiatives.

Murals She Never Came by BEZT, Salt Water by Garden of Journey, and Still Here by Gaia looked incredible illuminated.

Thank you to Cafe Modesto for providing snacks and refreshments!

“Last night was amazing being immersed in the art scene and actually getting to meet some of the artists! Can’t wait to do it again.”
— Tour goer via Instagram

Bob Dilworth showing visitors 帝国崛起 (Empire Rising) by Lauren YS

There were a few guest appearances this month, including Guest Guide and local artist Bob Dilworth, whose company was fondly enjoyed on the 5:30 pm tour! We also got to hang out with Guest Guide Mike Ryan of Motif Magazine on the 6:30 pm tour!!

Anahid Ypres hosted guest artist Fior De La Cruz, who was present to interact with visitors during the event. A bin of her small works were on sale in the studio and a couple of you went home with them! Although Anahid was in Brooklyn on Gallery Night, many thanks to her husband for kindly holding down the studio for visitors :)

And one more quote! Thanks again for joining us in October. We hope to see you for the last Gallery Night of the season in November!

“I enjoyed experiencing the art in Providence that I see or pass by everyday but more in depth. I loved visiting the new Grid gallery. And learning from our tour guide Frank about the history in providence as we drive through. Also our trolley driver was lovely.”
— Isabella, 5 pm tour

Thank you to all who attended September 19 Gallery Night!

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Crowded at AS220's Main Gallery!

September 19 Gallery Night was a blast!

Between the 6 free guided tours and people visiting the gallery shows on their own, we had at least 401 people participate.

We had many local folks as well visitors from out-of-state, including Ohio, Floirda, New Jersey, and of course, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Enjoy some photos and tidbits in the recap below.

Lisa Limer chatting with tour-goers at Bela Monde

This month’s collaboration with DESIGNxRI provided an engaging experience for tour-goers, with many of them connecting and reflecting on other Design Week events they had attended already! This Gallery Night’s attendees really indicated the strong appreciation that Rhode Island has for its creative community and just how receptive those outside of it are to learning from artists.

The 5 pm Walking Tour loved the expertly crafted pieces and inviting atmosphere at Bela Monde. The informational and engaging experience provided by the team created a forum for interesting conversation among tour goers. Everyone enjoyed learning about the shop’s processes and message as a small sustainable luxury fashion company. "Bela Monde was a huge hit, and I had to drag folks out of there!" remarked tour guide Barbara Zdravesky.

Guest artist Fior De La Cruz at Anahid Ypres Art Studio

Our Executive Director Michelle attended the 5:45 tour and discovered that some people found out about Gallery Night for the first time through the DESIGNxRI collaboration… Affirmation that cross promotional efforts are having positive impacts on awareness of the arts community’s offerings in Providence!

There were a few guest appearances this month, including Guest Guide Jo Lee, founder of PopUp Rhody and board member at DESIGNxRI, and Rue Sakayama, Executive Director at DESIGNxRI. Anahid Ypres hosted guest artist Fior De La Cruz, who was present to interact with visitors during the event. You’ll have another chance to see her work in October.

Everyone had unique perspectives to bring to the table and so many meaningful conversations were shared!

“I enjoy going to spaces and seeing art that I probably wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to see otherwise. The tour guides are always wonderful and it’s a really nice time.”
— Participant, 5:45 tour

At RI Center for Photographic Arts, visitors explored a variety of photography with a body of work titled Back to School: Work from the Workshop(s). This included photos by10 different artists that were developed during the Workshops and/or Mentorship programs at RI Photo.

Maya Stern, a friend of Gallery Night Guide Sam Nehila, brought her class of 7 or 8 students from Roger Williams! “Our field trip was extremely beneficial to my class, they left feeling very encouraged and excited by the art community in Providence”, she says.

And one more quote! Thanks again for joining us in September. We hope to see you for the second to last Gallery Night of the season in October!

“Our tour guide Bradly was very knowledgeable! It was great to learn some Providence history on our ride!”
— Cass, 5:15 pm tour

Thank you to all who attended August 15 Gallery Night!

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Paintings by Fior De La Cruz and Anahid Ypres on display at Anahid's art studio in Providence. 

August 15 Gallery Night was a blast!

Between the 5 free guided tours and people visiting the gallery shows on their own, we had at least 583 people participate.

We had many local folks as well visitors from out-of-state, including a trio of friends (one from Boston, Colorado, and we didn't catch the third place!) who were staying in Saunderstown for the week on a visit to yarn stores in RI and MA and wanted to add an art experience to their week. We also had other out-of-state visitors from Massachusetts, Virginia, and California. We even had 1 person who was visiting from France!

Enjoy some photos and tidbits in the recap below.

The 5 pm tour had the pleasure of seeing Neal Walsh’s crafted, textured work at Galerie le Domaine at Domain Properties. And it wasn’t just the Gallery Night guided tour that saw this show - there were easily a hundred people over the course of the night who attended the opening reception!

Providence Art Club

The tour group also visited the Providence Art Club, which had two exhibits at once. In the Maxwell Mays Gallery the Club hosted Homage to the Square: An Exhibition of 16” x 16” Artworks, featuring 40+ Exhibiting Artist Members of the Art Club. This was the Club’s third time hosting a show with this square theme.

In the Dodge House Gallery the Club showcased artWORKS: landscapes, featuring young artists affiliated with Riverzedge Arts of Woonsocket. The Club was excited to partner with Riverzedge for their annual exhibition and help them to bring this work to Providence. Brad Fesmire of Riverzedge and many of the artists were on hand the night of the reception and gallery night to talk with visitors. Speaking in the photo, RI Secretary of State Greg Amore.

The tour visited Anahid Ypres Art Studio, with guest artist Fior De La Cruz. On display were works from De La Cruz’s most recent body of work, “Looking Inwards.” This collection of paintings explores themes of mental health, identity, and the interconnectedness of our world. Visually, the paintings draw inspiration from the ecosystem of coral reefs. De La Cruz is returning as a guest artist at Anahid Ypres Art Studio for September Gallery Night, so if you didn’t catch her work in August, you still can on September 19!

The exhibition at The Gallery at City Hall, There’s No Place Like Home: Work from the One Nation One Project Residencies at Carroll Tower and Chad Brown, was well-attended. As you can see from the photos below, there was a lot of engagement with the artists and the work! The show will still be up in September, so if you missed it this month, you can check it out for September 19 Gallery Night.

“It was easy and felt like a refined, privileged experience. Timing and pace was perfect. And it was free!”
— Attendee on the 5 pm tour

The 5:30 pm tour visited New Harvest Coffee & Spirits to see Baubles, Bangles, and Beads: The Treasures of Wolf E. Myrow, a show of photographs by Robert W. Easton.

The tour also visited the Chazan Family Gallery at Rhode Island College. Tourgoers enjoyed the show, Corporeal Reflections, which featured the work of sculptor Elvis Rodriguez and painter/ceramicist Sam Lowder.

At the WaterFire Arts Center, visitors had the pleasure of seeing NetWorks Rhode Island and the Chazan Collection: A Half-Century of RI Patronage. This was a large-scale exhibition featuring over 100 NetWorks Rhode Island artists, celebrating a dynamic community of innovative artists living and working in Rhode Island and their champion, Joseph A. Chazan M.D.

Gallery Night was the featured organization for TroopTop Thursdays this month! Because of the rain, we had a welcome table inside, complete with puzzles people could work on together.

And one more quote! Thanks again for joining us for August. We hope to see you in September!

“The venues were excellent. The convenience of the trolley was wonderful. Jenn Wilson does a wonderful job of communicating the info about the venues.”
— Richard, 5 pm tour

Spotlight on...Emily Gray!

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Emily Gray is a Gallery Night Guide as well as a talented local artist and curator. Check out our interview with her below!

Q: You are an artist and also work at the WaterFire Arts Center gallery.  Can you tell us a little about your art and how it impacts what you bring to your perspective as a guide?

A: It is a wonderful thing, to be on both sides of the artist/curator relationship. Having both experiences makes both roles better. My artistic practice is deeply rooted in spirituality and family history and feminine identity, concepts which I explore through painting and sculpture mostly. Being an artist is to look at the world and see beauty and pause to be inspired and receive. This aids me as a curator to connect with artists and take joy in collaborative vision and spatial design. As a Guide, both identities are beneficial - I can speak to both the meaning and curatorial designs of an exhibition and also honor the artists who are showcased. 

Q: Art can be experienced many ways.  What do you see as the difference in the experience of seeing art with others on a Gallery Night tour and viewing art on one's own?

A: Experiencing art with others on a Gallery Night tour offers a chance to have a conversation about the artwork with tourgoers, artists, and curators. The format is a collective journey that can give way to really fun connections, allowing folks on the tour to exchange interpretations that can deepen everyone's appreciation. As a guide, I’m able to provide context and stories that might not be immediately apparent, enriching the experience further. Viewing art alone is also very important. It allows for a more personal, introspective engagement. Both ways are valuable. I see Gallery Night as a great way to get to different art spaces, to then come back to, on your own time.

Q: Besides the WaterFire Arts Center, of course, what are some of your favorite galleries and/or public art spaces in Providence?

A: I am always impressed by the intentionality and research that goes into shows at Brown’s Bell Gallery. It’s nice to have longer exhibitions to have the chance to experience them several times at different stages of the year.  I am also entranced by our peers, AS220, who are on a similar monthly schedule to our exhibitions at the WaterFire Arts Center. In addition to other Gallery Night partner spaces, I love the new pop-up apartment gallery spaces like Apartment 13 and East Manning St Projects. These spaces embody the spirit of Providence and are confirmation to me of our artistic Renaissance. 

Thank you to all who attended July 18 Gallery Night!

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Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in July 18 Gallery Night!

Between the 5 free guided tours and people visiting the gallery shows on their own, we had at least 1,358 people participate this Gallery Night. What a turnout!

People came from all over Rhode Island. We had some out-of-state visitors as well, from Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida. We even had 6 visitors from outside the USA!

Enjoy some photos and tidbits in the recap below!

“[I enjoyed] connecting with other people who enjoy art as well.”
— Attendee on the 5 pm tour

On the 5 pm tour we had RI Center for Photographic Arts, with an exhibit of work by curators who are also artists themselves.

On the same tour, participants got to see the paintings and ceramics for sale at Studio Hop on Hope Street.

They also visited The Map Center and James Polisky Silkscreen Art, both located in The Mills, an older industrial building that’s been repurposed to be home to many different businesses.

“I loved everything. The photo exhibition was wonderful and the map center was amazing. I also loved the air conditioning in the bus.”
— Elizabeth, 5 pm tour

The 5:30 pm tour visited the Artists Loop at Wanskuck Library and got to see the work of multiple artists in one destination! They also visited the AS220 Main and Aborn Galleries and the Gallery at City Hall.

“I loved going to spaces I otherwise wouldn’t visit.”
— 5:30 pm tour attendee
“[I loved] seeing the work of local artists and visiting smaller galleries I wouldn’t otherwise know about! Going to gallery night always makes me feel like a part of the community.”
— 5:30 pm tour attendee
“[I enjoyed] meeting the artists, hearing them talk about their work…It was great! Good pace.”
— Julia on the 5:30 pm tour

The 5:45 pm walking tour saw the works of Paul Everett at The Gallery at 134 Collaborative / Mathewson Street Church.

“I loved the tour guide’s explanation of notable buildings and murals as we walked from place to place! I learned more about Providence.”
— Francheska Dominique, 5:45 pm walking tour

The 6 pm tour visited Galerie le Domaine at Domain Properties, BankRI Turks Head Gallery, Stewart House, and Anahid Ypres Art Studio.

“[I enjoyed] the casual and fun atmosphere. The very knowledgeable guide - Rosemary. The studios we visited & the artist we met!”
— 6 pm tour attendee

The 6:30 pm tour visited the WaterFire Arts Center, BIG NAZO LAB’s “Space Transformation Station” Mill-Rocket Studio, and the Gallery at Sprout CoWorking.

“Our guide Rex was great, behind the scenes of Big Nazo is always a good time, Sprout is always a great stop! Keep up the good work, thanks for all you do.”
— Attendee on the 6:30 pm tour
“[I appreciated] 1. How well everything was organized; 2. The art collection and the event organization at the WaterFire Center; 3. All volunteers and amazing artists; 4. The musicians”
— Attendee on the 6:30 pm tour

Spotlight on...New friends!

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You never know who you’re going to meet on the Trolley Bus!  Last year two people sat next to each other and immediately struck up a friendship. Sarah Jane Lapp, well-known multimedia artist, and Grace Carcich, motivational speaker, life coach, and author, got chatting about projects.

An artist and a writer talked quite a lot that night, but didn’t yet know the other was also a writer and the other loved to paint! A mutual sense of humor and a love of making people laugh was also something they had in common.

Grace is the author of Buddha Rebel The Bridge. She invites readers to take on the soul challenge to look at life through a different lens to make discoveries, shed limiting belief systems, and to venture with eyes wide open.

Sarah Jane Lapp started Puzlkind Jigsaw Puzzles and is the originator of Puzzical Chairs & Pie with Live Music, a wonderful public event of building puzzles in the park with friendly rotating partners. The event is similar to musical chairs but with puzzles and pie. It's a great way to connect with new friends!

Please check out the next Puzzical Chairs Event on Thursday, July 11th, outside the Drawing Room, in New Bedford MA.

And at the check-in table on each Gallery Night, you can purchase 3 different puzzles by Sarah Jane that benefit Gallery Night.

Image borrowed from the Puzlkind website!

Thank you to all who attended June 20 Gallery Night!

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Gallery Night Guide Irene Yibirin leads the 6:30 pm trolley tour!

Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in June 20 Gallery Night!

It was a fun night, with 5 guided tours traveling to all different neighborhoods in Providence. Outside of the guided tours, galleries had many people who stopped by on their own to enjoy the art and meet new artists.

People came from all over Rhode Island. We had some out-of-state visitors as well, from Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Georgia. We even had one visitor from Korea!

Enjoy some photos and tidbits below from just a few of the different spaces that participated in Gallery Night that evening!

The three photos above are from the 6:30 pm tour. This tour stopped at La Galería del Barrio, a newer gallery in Providence. Located inside the Southside Cultural Center (SCCRI) on Broad Street, this is Providence’s first urban art gallery dedicated sorely to the art of Latinx, Afro-Latino and Indigenous-Latinx art. Pictured in the middle photo is Rene Gomez, whose work was on display that evening - check out our interview with him right here!

The two photos above are from Galerie le Domaine at Domain Properties, which is both a real estate office and and an art gallery! In the second photo, artist Jamie Murphy Hlynsky is pictured discussing her work that’s on display to the folks from the Gallery Night trolley tour. Below, photos from The Gallery at City Hall, part of the 5:45 pm walking tour. Participants enjoy artwork from Olive the Giant (Quinn Bryan) and Jaclyn Tomasso. This show is on view through August 11 - learn more here.

Below, photos from the Gallery at Sprout CoWorking. Curated by Kelly Brown, this was a group show of work by Sam Sparling, Vesna Longton, and Ruth Hauzinger.

And photos below from the WaterFire Arts Center. Folks enjoyed the exhibit When I Get Home, a moving month-long group exhibition by the 2023-2024 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort. Folks from the Gallery Night tours as well as anyone who stopped by on their own also got to enjoy live music, sips and snacks, and bubbles on the roof as part of TroopTop Thursdays.

And a few more photos from the night!

Spotlight on...Rene Gomez!

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La Galería del Barrio, located in Southside Cultural Center on Broad Street opened earlier this spring, and we are pleased to announce that the Galleria will be part of our June 20 Gallery Night.  

We asked Rene Gomez, one of the artists with pieces in the opening exhibit, "A Soulful Sazón," a bit about the new gallery, his art, and baseball. To read more about Rene and see a gallery of his work, visit RI Latino Artists • Rene Gómez (rilatinoarts.org).

Q: You work both as a mural artist and as a painter on a smaller scale.  What are the main differences in the process and do you prefer one more than the other?

I enjoy both murals and paintings and always see in my eyes my canvas paintings as potential murals being painted on walls. But my canvas paintings usually have a more meaningful connection with me since they have a connection with my life experiences. The primary challenge when creating a mural lies in scaling the artwork accurately. Various techniques, including freehand rendering and projector assistance, are available for this purpose plus many more methods. Personally, I employ a European-style method that suits my workflow in creating murals. I utilize the gridding method on my paintings when creating from sketch to canvas.

Q: Congratulations on being part of the opening exhibit at La Galería del Barrio.  What are your thoughts about La Galleria del Barrio being one of the first - if not the first - gallery on Broad Street in Providence?

The establishment of a gallery dedicated to showcasing the remarkable artwork within the Hispanic community, particularly in the region where I have resided for the entirety of my life South Providence is meaningful. This space "La Galería del Barrio" is providing a platform to illuminate the richness of beauty and creativity of many artists in the local area and Rhode Island.

Q: You have a couple of portraits of baseball players in the opening exhibit.  Are you a baseball fan?  What is your team?  

A: I have been crafting paintings inspired by my personal experiences and journey, particularly focusing on my upbringing, which involved actively watching baseball games and participating in Little League and Senior League baseball, as well as avidly collecting baseball cards during my teen years. Currently, I am engaged in developing a series depicting iconic figures from the New York Yankees, rendered in a pop art style within the format reminiscent of baseball cards. Following this project, I intend to pivot towards capturing the essence of Boston Red Sox legends. I'm still a Boston Red Sox fan; the 2004 team is my favorite because my dad got to see them win the championship before he passed away in 2007.

Thank you to all who attended May 16 Gallery Night!

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Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in May 16 Gallery Night! The weather rallied, with the rain stopping and the sun coming out, in time for Gallery Night. It was a great night, with 5 full or nearly full tours, and many folks visiting individual galleries on their own. There were many repeat visitors - Gallery Night veterans, so to speak - but also a lot of first-timers!

In total, we had at least 783 people attending Gallery Night, including folks from all over Rhode Island, plus some out-of-state visitors as well, from Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Texas!

Enjoy some photos from just a few of the different spaces that participated in Gallery Night that evening, plus quotes from particpants, below.

“Lovely to spend time exploring new spaces with happy people. Our tour guide, Irene, had great energy & Al, board president, was so kind and welcoming. While we have lived in RI for many years, we’ve never been in these places & Gallery Night Providence opened up artists, art, & our community to us. Special thank you too to James Polinsky, silkscreening artist, for being present in his studio & sharing his process. It was sweet to be in a trolley too!”
— Meghan, 6 pm Trolley Tour
“I enjoyed the tour a lot and most enjoyed Quinn Bryan and Jaclyn Tomasso’s work at City Hall. Jenn is a fabulous tour guide, energetic and knowledgeable about art and Providence. Great mix of walking and trolley due to the inclement weather. Lots of fun!”
— Grace, 5 pm Walking tour
“I loved the opportunity to hear from the makers. Irene was fantastic at introducing us to the locations and getting everybody comfortable in the new environment. ”
— Charles, 6 pm Trolley tour

Thank you to all who attended April 18 Gallery Night!

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Spring is in the air...on our last Gallery Night, we had April showers!

Between our 5 guided tours and folks who visited the galleries and exhibits on their own, we had at least 300 people attend this Gallery Night…some of whom braved the weather for a walking tour to galleries in the downtown area!

More than 20 people joined Gallery Night Guide Frank Toti on a walking tour of downtown art spaces, including stops at the AS220 Main, Aborn, and Project Space Galleries and the BankRI TurksHead Gallery, and discussions about public art and architecture.

We had folks attend Gallery Night from Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and all the way from Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, and Virginia, not to mention from cities and towns throughout Rhode Island!

“Our tour guide (Frank) was excellent. Learning about the history of Providence and the buildings was very enlightening. Enjoyed the murals-they are spectacular. The locations we visited were very interesting.”
— Richard, 5 pm Tour Attendee
“I was at the very first Gallery Night - the Providence Art Trolley - hop on, hop off. Tonight I like the guided interaction with the tour guides, curators, artists, and gallery staff. I LOVE bringing friends to Gallery Night for the first time. I also enjoy the camaraderie among guests on the trolley coaches. I’ve made friends on the trolleys.”
— Lee, 5:30 tour
“Gathering with friends and learning about local area artists, history, and culture. (I’m relatively new to RI — two years — and still exploring…)”
— Susan, 6 pm tour attendee

Thank you to all who attended March 21 Gallery Night!

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It was a great night, with printmaking, alien friends, urban sketching, retrospectives, women’s month exhibits, and more! Between our 4 guided tours and folks who visited the galleries and exhibits on their own, we had at least 303 people attend this Gallery Night.

We had some out-of-staters as well, from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Texas!

“The guide was knowledgeable! Professional and friendly! He took advantage of the extended daylight to point out historical places along the trolley route! Also like discovering the small out of the way places, as well as major venues.”
— 5:30 pm Tour Attendee
“It was great to get to see some work by local artists, new gallery spaces, meet new people and learn a bit about each artist from our guide. In addition to the fun and convenience of the trolley and art I have experienced live music, free snacks and wine, and great architecture during the tours.”
— Elizabeth, tour attendee
“The guide, Irene, was lovely and informative. The stops were all unique with something different to offer.”
— 6 pm tour attendee

Spotlight on...Elise Fortier!

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April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize all those who give their time and energy to causes they care about. We at Gallery Night are grateful for the many volunteers and the hours they've spent, directly or indirectly, helping us bring people to art spaces in Providence. This month we are spotlighting volunteer Elise Fortier, who organized the silent auction and raffle for our fundraiser in February! 

Q: When and how did you first hear about Gallery Night?

A: I was first introduced to Gallery Night in October of 2019 by my dear friend Mike Ryan, who is one of the board members. I had just moved to Providence and would arrange my social calendar by what was advertised in his publication Motif Magazine. He and I went on one of the tours and I was hooked. 

Q: What made you want to go on a tour? What keeps you coming back?

A: I grew up surrounded by art. Both my parents and my godmother were talented artists. My parents made a point of bringing us to museums as children, and taking us to cultural events and encouraging an appreciation and interest in art. I studied graphic design, drawing and art history in college. It’s just always been a part of my life. I can easily walk into a museum and pass five hours as if it was nothing. I become mesmerized. The Gallery Night tours appealed to me because I could visit so many spaces in one evening that I would most likely never go to on my own. Some studios can feel intimidating, especially if you’re solo. With Gallery Night, I’m with a group and we are warmly welcomed. There’s an abundance of art in varying mediums in interesting spaces. There’s nothing I don’t love about it. It always feels fresh and new, regardless of how frequently I go. 

Q: What is your favorite part about Gallery Night? 

A: Along with all of the amazing artwork being shown at some truly spectacular venues, is the sense of camaraderie that is present amongst everyone attending. There’s an element of shared awe, appreciation and joy that permeates the group. The tour guides are knowledgeable and informative and in some cases you get to meet the artists and learn about their work firsthand. 

Q: What motivated you to volunteer to organize the silent auction and raffle for our fundraiser?

A: I love the city of Providence and our community. I have done a good bit of volunteering in the past and it had been my desire once I moved here to find an organization that was aligned with my values and interests.

I knew Gallery Night was something that resonated with me personally, as art has always been integral to my life and I believe it should be accessible to all. I fully and wholeheartedly support the mission of Gallery Night Providence and it was my honor to be able to help out in whatever way that I could. I thoroughly enjoyed my role and it was an absolute pleasure meeting all the talented artists who generously donated to our cause and to be able to familiarize more people with their work by including them in our auction and raffle.

Thank you to intern Justin Medeiros for interviewing Elise and writing up this feature!