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.”
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!”