KINGSTON, R.I., — March 29, 2023 — The University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography recently asked aspiring K-12 student artists across the Ocean State a simple question: What is your favorite thing about the ocean? The response came in the form of hundreds of artistic submissions from all ages to the Ocean View Art Exhibition and Competition. The exhibit is presented by the URI Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies Arts and Culture Program and GSO.
Running from April 3 through April 27, “Ocean View” includes artworks in all media from 25 area professional artists and a youth art competition with more than 200 artworks by Rhode Island K-12 students exploring the many ways in which we are all connected to the ocean.
“Art and science are deeply related because, at their core, both ocean scientists and artists are curious, creative and love to experiment,” said GSO Dean Paula Bontempi. “This art exhibition is a powerful way for us to engage and hopefully inspire the next generation of ocean explorers and stewards, and I can’t wait to see their creations lining the gallery walls.”
All pieces of artwork will be on exhibit in the gallery at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus as well as in a virtual gallery on the GSO website. An in-person awards announcement event for the student artists and their families is scheduled for April 13 at 10 a.m. Three winners (first, second and third place) from each of four different K-12 divisions will receive prizes to further support their artistic development and oceanographic interest. These 12 award-winning original pieces of artwork will be framed and showcased on the URI Narragansett Bay Campus for a year after the April showing concludes.
“Inviting K-12 students to mix their knowledge of the ocean with their artistic abilities is an exciting endeavor, and we are excited to view their creations at our URI Providence campus,” said Danielle Dennis, dean of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies. “I am certain that their artwork will inspire all of us to think about our ocean in different ways.”
In addition to the youth art competition, numerous regional artists will present their ocean-inspired artwork. Among the featured artists are: Roxanne Blackmore, Mike Bryce, Amy Bartlett Wright, Julie Brayton, Harley Bartlett, Donato Beauchaine, Ruth Clegg, Alex DeCiccio, David DeMelim, John Fazzino, Asta Habtemichael/Jack Madden, Kathy Hodge, Wendy Ingham, Lori Jeremiah, Frank Lally, Eric Lutes, Craig Masten, Allison Newsome, Catrina Nowakoski/Eunhyung Julie Chung, Nick Paciorek, Zakk Prosser, Kyle Ringquist, Cynthia Rubin, Andrea Sawyer, Anna Schrecengost/Avantika Velho, Tricia Thibodeau, Anthony Tomaselli and Cindy Wilson.
“Ocean View” youth art competition judges
Raphael Diaz ’06, a URI alumnus and Providence-based artist and public school teacher.
Bob DIlworth, a Providence-based artist and retired professor and chair of the URI Department of Art and Art History.
Mary Parlange, a writer, editor, translator and media consultant for more than 25 years.
Gallery Information
The URI Providence Campus Gallery is located at 80 Washington St., 1st and 2nd floor lobby gallery.
Tour Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and on Gallery Night April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays.
For gallery information call 401-277-5206 or uri.artsandculture@gmail.com or visit uri.edu/ceps/prov/arts.