Cultural Awakenings 2008:

In 2008 Bert Gallery takes a look at the “cultural awakenings” throughout the decades that established Rhode Island as a destination for visual artists. Among the wharfs and warehouses of this small industrial state a cultural identity was born and nurtured.

Struggle, Strength, & Dignity, January-March 2008:

When Roger Williams established the religiously tolerant state of Rhode Island, he imbued a progressive spirit into its legacy. How did the 19th century cultural world embrace this heritage?

Afro-American artist Edward Bannister (1881 - 1901) earned a first place medal for painting at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition and went on to found the Providence Art Club in 1880, today the second oldest art club in the country.

A woman, Mrs. Jesse Metcalf, founded the Rhode Island School of Design in 1878, training women in respectable art professions when there was few employment opportunities open to single woman.

By the twentieth century, Italian and Irish immigrants flooded the state for jobs in the wake of the industrial revolution. Italian born artist, Antonio Cirino (1888 - 1983), is but one personality who entered the competitive academic arena at RISD and the local art scene.

This exhibit explores the accomplishments of visual artists in Rhode Island who broke societal mores to achieve recognition.

Antonio Cirino, Rockport Harbor; Helena Sturtevant, Notre Dame; Spencer Crooks, South Water Street