Small State, Big Talent

Tonight’s opening of the impressive NetWorks 2013–2014 exhibition at the Newport [RI] Art Museum (NAM) revolves around the work produced by a selection of Rhode Island’s leading artists – all of whom have been profiled as part of a growing collection of video documentaries. Many of the featured artists in the NetWorks series, a top-quality project shot by Richard Goulis and produced by local collector and arts advocate Joseph Chazan, have strong RISD ties.

For instance, among the alumni you’ll find work by Jesse Burke MFA 05 PH (photo above), Michael Glancy 77 SC/MFA 80 GL, Paula Martiesian 76 PT (image below), Alan Metnick MFA 73 PH and many others. Faculty include professors Larry Bush, John Dunnigan MFA 80 ID and Dean Snyder.

President Rosanne Somerson 76 ID is also among the featured artists in the show and the video series (see below, filmed last year when she was RISD’s provost). And more RISD people are involved behind the scenes as well, with photographer Scott Lapham 90 PH shooting portraits of each artist profiled and an exhibition catalogue designed by Malcolm Grear Designers (founded by RISD Professor Emeritus Malcolm Gear and run by alumni Joel Grear 83 GD and Pat Appleton 70 GD), which will be available at the official premier on October 19.

The NetWorks show continues at NAM through January 19.