New England Art News June 20
The art of protest. A new clay studio. Atlantic Mills sells. Learn to weld. $7k in prizes for pastels. Four artist residencies. Grant money and jobs. Plus, a review of a photo show in Cambridge!
Happy Friday!
I’ll start with something nice. I was in NYC last weekend for a wedding and had such a beautiful time, surrounded by real love and joy. I did sneak away for a few hours to wander The Met, though. Even after many visits, I still get a catch in the back of my throat in sight of so many amazing artworks. Ever an art historian at heart.
Over the last week there have been protests here in Rhode Island and around the nation. Those who showed up to advocate for say, the preservation of congressionally approved arts funding, deserve our thanks. I’m often intimidated by the idea of participating fully in our collective political life in this way — it’s probably the years of Catholic schooling, if I had to guess. But I am always trying to be useful, to make an impact in my little corner of the world. I realize that sometimes that kind of work lacks the broader vision of my friends who are real activists but I hope it’s useful. Seeing an artist find a job, or receive a grant, or get into a show, or access a new opportunity in part because I advocated for them feels political to me.
One of my core values is that I really want everyone to be cared for and happy. I am always genuinely excited to mentor, share resources, make space, and listen. A few years ago, I was asked to write a letter of support for an artist who was seeking a Visa and I did so enthusiastically. They were approved and are thankfully still living here, making work, growing, and contributing in untold ways to our culture like so many people from faraway places have. I am honored to know them. One of the protests last week in Rhode Island focused specifically on upholding immigrants’ rights. If you are writing a similar support letter and need assistance I’m happy to provide free editorial or ghostwriting services.
Now more than ever we have a big, broad, and deep responsibility to one another, both within the art community and without. As a continuation of last week’s theme of romance, I finished Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People on the train home somewhere in Connecticut and got choked up at the following passage: “They’ve done a lot of good for each other. Really, she thinks, really. People can really change one another.” Isn’t that such a beautiful line? We indeed can and should change one another for the better. I hope I’ve positively impacted you and that next time you’re protesting you’ll invite me to join. I’ll be there. - Michael
Exciting Personal News
I was accepted into the Institute of Non Profit Practice Core Certificate cohort for 2025-26! This yearlong program affiliated with Tufts University will allow me to study fiscal oversight, governance, fundraising, and other topics alongside fellow non profit leaders. I’m really excited and grateful for this chance to further develop my management skills and hope to become a more effective advocate in the art community. As I mentioned in a previous note, I’m currently actively seeking opportunities to serve on a board (or boards) in the visual arts.
Three Artists Highlight Memory and Legacy in Cambridge
Yesterday on the New England Art News blog, I wrote a feature on a compelling show featuring Tarik Bartel, Kannetha Brown, and Anhkim Dang at the Photographic Resource Center. Titled My Grandmother is an Altar, the show highlights ancestral stories created by the grandchildren of Southeast Asian women. On view thru July 5.
Two News Items
Atlantic Mills has Officially Sold - One of Providence, RI’s last affordable studio buildings is now in the hands of out-of-state developers known for turning things into luxury condos. Follow this story and support the artists of this property.
RISD Adds Tattooing Class - Adam Krueger will teach the first ever course. Tattoos are indeed art and it’s great to see this recognition from a leading school.
Art Events in Rhode Island
Armenian Students Show Opens Tonight - June 20, 5-7pm at Atrium Gallery.
Queerness in Public Space Artist Talk Tonight - June 20, 6-8pm at AS220.
Windham, Barmonde, and Goodman Show Opens Tonight - June 20, 6-9pm at World’s Fair.
Haus of Codec LGBTQQIA+ Resource and Art Fair - June 22, 1-6pm.
Creative Networking at 50 Sims - at Nicheworks. June 26, 6-8pm.
Mark Freedman at Charlestown Gallery - Reception June 28, 5-8pm.
Pop Ups in Pawtucket - Arts Collaborative is hosting multiple shows this summer.
Art Happenings Around New England
Printmaker in Westport, MA - Aurora Goodland show opens June 21 from 4-6pm.
Reception at Happy Hour at TAG in Boston - June 22, 3-5pm.
Free Talk on Art Handling in Mystic, CT - July 1, 5:30-6:30pm.
Two Pride Shows in New Bedford - at Gallery X thru July 12.
New Hampshire Artist Grant Exhibition - On view in Portsmouth thru July 27.
O’Leary, Lee, and Volicer at Boston Sculptors - Three shows on thru July 13.
Art Camp in Maine in July - CMCA offers sliding scale tuition. Multiple sessions.
Porcelain Show in New London, CT - On view at Lyman Allyn all summer.
Animation as Art in Burlington, VT - On view at BCA all summer.
New Ceramics Studio Opens in RI
RI Clay Space has opened in Cranston. The brainchild of past Steel Yard Resident and artist Brittany Dias, the venue offers classes and memberships, making clay more accessible to residents of the heart of the state. Congrats Brittany!
Learn to Weld at The Steel Yard
Providence arts space is offering weekend workshops. Ideal for beginners. Learn a practical and artistic skill. Multiple weekends offered. Tuition is $380.
Printmaking Residency in CT
Center for Contemporary Printmaking is seeking residents. $35 application fee. Stay in a cottage and make work. Funding of up to $5,000 available for summer session. Deadline July 1.
Three Craft Residencies Beyond the Region
Peters Valley School of Craft - New Jersey space offers fall residencies in a range of disciplines. $500 stipend for two weeks. $1,000 stipend for a month. Fee of $10 to apply. Deadline July 1.
Penland School - One of the nation’s most storied craft centers offers year-long or three-year-long residencies at no cost. $30 app fee. Due July 2.
Women’s Studio Workshop - Upstate New York space offers stipend of $350/wk, $1,000 for materials, $250 for travel, on-site housing and 24/hr studio to create artist books. Deadline July 15.
$10k Grant for Black Trans Visual Artists
The Illuminations Grant offers $10,000 to under recognized artists across the nation. Info session June 23. Deadline July 2. No fee.
Miscellaneous Opportunities:
Pitch Boston Art Review - Submit art criticism ideas thru June 30.
Up to $4k for Artists in Schools in Vermont - Schools may get up to $400/day to bring in a vetted teaching artist. Apply by July 28.
Join RI Teaching Artist Roster - RISCA is accepting applications for vetted individuals who benefit from listing on state database. Apply by August 1.
Call for Texts on Craft Education - A group of talented editors (including Michelle Millar Fisher of the MFA) are working on an exciting book. Proposals for essays are due by August 15.
Art Jobs
Public Art Studio Coordinator in RI - $28/hr. Apply ASAP.
Animation Technician in Portland, ME - $19.57/hr. PT. Apply ASAP.
Teaching Assistant in Film in Portland, ME - $23/hr. Apply ASAP.
Kids Art Teacher in Greenwich, CT - $70+/hr. Apply ASAP.
Gallery Attendant at Wadsworth in Hartford, CT - $16.35/hr. Apply ASAP.
Assistant Development Director in Burlington, VT - $67-$75k+. Apply ASAP.
Youth Art Teacher in Watertown, MA - $1,200 stipend. Apply by July 11.
Director of Advocacy and Comms at Cultural Survival - Fully remote. $100-$130k. App review begins July 14.
Deputy Chief Advancement Officer at MassMoCA - $110k+. Apply by July 31.
Manage Advancement Opps at MassMoCA - $72k. Apply by July 31.
Communications Director at Gallery 263 - 15hrs/wk. $23/hr. Apply by August 9.
Special Visiting Lecturers at Tufts - $5k+/semester. Apply by August 11.
Calls for Art
Regeneration/Transformation Invitational in RI - Due June 22.
Animal Rescue Art Contest in RI - $600 in prizes. Due June 30.
What Color Are Your Feelings at RI Latino Arts - No fee. Due July 1.
Outdoor Art Fair in Nashua, NH - $25 jury fee. Due July 1.
Street Photography in Providence - $475 in prizes. $45 fee. Due July 1.
Gallery 263 Small Works - Sliding scale fee $10-$30. Be featured in Cambridge 2025-26. Deadline July 13.
Major Pastel Show in CT - $7,000+ in prizes. Entries start at $55. Due July 14.
“Rising” at Aplomb Gallery in NH - $35 fee. Due July 15.
Mark Your Calendar for Drinks
Join me July 11 from 7-9pm at Small Format in Providence for casual drinks!
Thanks for Reading!
Thanks for perusing this edition of New England Art News. Please email me at michael@michaelrosefineart.com with ideas, tips, etc. You can also follow me on Instagram at michaelrosefineart. You can share and subscribe using the links below:
Congratulation, Michael! Sounds like an exciting opportunity!