rhode island

Thank you to all who attended April 18 Gallery Night!

in ,

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

Spotlight on...Sara Ladds!

in

This month our spotlight is on textile designer Sara Ladds. She will give a short presentation on her work during the 6 pm tour's stop at Kreatelier, and tour-goers will be able to ask questions and browse the fabric and wallpaper showroom. You can also visit Kreatelier on your own anytime between 6 and 8 pm on April 18 Gallery Night.

Q: You were trained at RISD as a graphic designer. What's the difference for you between designing on paper vs. fabric?

A: As a graphic designer, one uses information to create a design with a specific message, such as a poster or a book cover. There are choices in type, image, and color which are arranged on a given dimension to inform. The similarities between graphic design and fabric design are the designing of similar elements such as pattern, color, and size/dimension on a flat, two-dimensional plane. But fabric is a moving, pliable medium that takes into consideration light, shape, function, style, trends, taste, etc. It has a longer presence where graphic design has a short window of purpose. And when it comes to interior fabrics, the fabric is part of a complex array of other elements such as rugs, artwork, furniture, etc. and they all need to "talk" to one another as a unified group. If it's done correctly.

Q: Art and design are often used interchangeably.  Is there a distinction?

A: I am of the opinion that yes, there is a distinction. Art is an expression of the soul. It comes from a place of having something to say and the artist completely drives what is said and how it's conveyed. Design has a purpose. To communicate and inform (graphic design), to be functional (industrial/furniture design), to live in society (fashion, architecture design), and so on. There are many designers who are artists and artists who are designers in both life and work. The two principles can intertwine and there are a few who have mastered it brilliantly. But for me, there is a distinction in the "why" something is created which separates art from design.

Q: Do you have  a favorite palette?  A favorite design or one  that you're most proud of? 

A: I love color! It's the number one driving force in how I design. I have always gravitated towards the warmer hues - red, orange, pink - but my new collection is with a lot of blues and greens. Whatever the color, I tend to go for a lot of saturation. I would say one of my favorite patterns is the "Peony" pattern. It's graphic and soft in style, bold, and colorful. 

More about Sara Ladds Design:

Sara Ladds Design was launched in early 2015 and is based in Providence, Rhode Island. The collections combine a particular style of bold pattern and vibrant color with attention to proportion and balance. Sara Ladds Design uses eco-friendly printing methods, including water-based pigment ink, regional production and sustainably sourced materials and all fabrics are produced in the USA. 

More about Sara Ladds:

Sara Ladds grew up in New York City where fashion, art, architecture, and culture influenced her sense of style and design. After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, Sara spent many years as an award-winning graphic designer. She was owner of Bachleitner Design and in 2005 she became the art director at Brown University. In 2012 she moved out of Providence to the beautiful coastal town of Little Compton where she began to rethink her life’s work and decided to fulfill a long-time dream of being a textile designer. Thus Sara Ladds Design was born and one need not look far to see how Sara’s years as a graphic designer has strongly influenced her textiles. Her attention to detail and color are complemented by bold, graphic patterns and her work offers a strong and refreshing addition to the world of residential textiles. 

Today’s the Day! Support Free access to art in the 401!

in

Greetings!

401Gives is TODAY, and runs through Tuesday April 2 at 6 pm.  I am asking you to help make this an awesome day of giving in Rhode Island (our beloved 401 community)!  

Please take 5 minutes to  Give to Gallery Night Providence | 401Gives to enable us to continue to offer free access to Providence art spaces for diverse public audiences.  If you’ve been on one of our tours, or enjoy visiting art spaces and want to see the arts and artists continue to thrive in our Creative Capital, please consider supporting us today! 

I also encourage you to give to other 401 nonprofits that make a difference in our  community – including several of our partner art spaces –and any other causes that speak to you.

Your donation of any amount will help Gallery Night Providence continue its work.

  • $15 will help support the design and printing of our new maps

  • $50 helps us pay our knowledgeable guides

  • And any amount will help us fund our trolley and vehicle rentals (which cost $750 per tour!)

And thanks to the generosity of some of our supporters, your gift may be automatically matched! Some of our friends are offering a match --so your  donation could be doubled. One of our supporters is challenging us –with a pledge of $200 – to raise funds from 20 distinct donors!

Here’s how you can make a big difference today:

  • Spread the word about 401 Gives!  Mention it to co-workers, friends, and neighbors.  Forward this message.  Post on social media and follow @401Gives.

We need your help to make our 401 Gives campaign a success.  So even if you’re a 508 or a 617 or a 203 or a 703 like me, I hope we can count on your support.  Thank you for considering.

Sincerely,

Michelle Maynard
Executive Director

Thank you to all who attended March 21 Gallery Night!

in ,

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