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"I was making art to go out in the world, not to be in storage"
– Fay Chandler
INSPIRED BY A TRUE ARTIST
In 1995, Fay Chandler was to be featured in a major retrospective exhibit of her work at the Boston Center for the Arts. Of the many works in the show, Fay thought, surely not everything will sell, and there's no point in bringing the remaining pieces back to sit in storage at the studio. Why not donate whatever is left at the end of the show to groups in the community who couldn't otherwise afford to buy art, so it can be seen and enjoyed?
Letters went out, and nonprofit agencies came during the last week of the exhibit to select a piece of art. And from that simple act, the Art Connection's placement program was born.
The idea behind the Art Connection is still simple: making art accessible to everyone lends power to inspire, challenge, heal, communicate, and transform.
Wendy Ingram (AC-RI Founder), Fay Chandler, Peter Hacunda (former AC-RI Board Chair)
OUR CORE VALUES
Power of Art
Making and experiencing art is an essential element of the human experience. Regardless of socio-economic circumstances, AC-RI believes everyone has the right to experience art in their life.
Art in Public View
The nonprofit organizations we work with serve the public onsite where the art is enjoyed by their constituents, employees and volunteers.
Original Works of Art
The artwork that we receive is always original. Our preference is to receive and place the works of local artists but we gratefully accept donations from all generous donors.
Trusting Relationships
We develop relationships with organizations that apply for donations, starting with our initial contact and continuing through selection and hanging of art and beyond. Artists and collectors who donate their art can feel confident that their work is respected and well-cared for.
Free Choice
We do not influence the selection of artwork by the receiving organization. There is great value in the conversations that occur as organization employees and constituents discuss their preferences for the work, and come to agreement on their selections.
Participatory Selection Informed by Constituent Voice
We require participation including a diversity of voices in the art selection. We believe that the people served in the agency should be part of that discussion and strongly encourage organizations to involve constituents in the selection process.
Diversity of Art and Artists
The visual artwork available for selection includes many genres. We seek to ensure that artists of all backgrounds are included in the pool of artwork available for selection.
MEET THE TEAM
Robert Malley
Development Manager
He has served as a trustee of the Memorial and Library Association of Westerly for 13 years where he currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees' Development Committee. After a 32-year career as a corporate and banking lawyer in New York City and Boston,
Bob changed careers to work for Colgate University on its development staff, responsible for soliciting major gifts and planned gifts from prospects in the New England states, New York City and Baltimore/ Washington.
Al Harris
Board of Directors
I am a retired arts educator from the Providence and Boston Public Systems. My goal was to teach all subjects using the arts. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia working with leather exporting, beekeeping, and developing village-level crafts. I have worked with "The Experiment in International Living" and small tour groups for Europe and Africa. I have a BA Degree (Art Education) from Florida A&M University and a MA Degree (School of International Education) from U/MASS Amherst
Herman Brewster
Board of Directors
B.A. Psychology, Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.1962
MAT English Concentration, Brown University, Providence, RI, May 1992
Vera Gierke
Board of Directors
Vera is an exhibiting artist at the Providence Art Club where she maintains a studio in the Deacon Taylor House. Her main art focus is collage, but she also works in various forms of printmaking, photography and photoshop. She is a member of several artist organizations locally and nationally and has been awarded Signature Membership in the National Collage Society. Her work has been published in Create! Magazine, Contemporary Collage Magazine and Artists Magazine. She has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of West Bay and Northern RI, Women’s Center, Crossroads and Art League Rhode Island.
Wendy Ingram
Founder & Board of Directors
Wendy, an exhibiting artist in New England, began her career in a studio at the Boston Center for the Arts. As a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Wendy continues to create artworks, specializing in pastels and handmade paper. In 2008, she became the Co-founder and Director of Art Connection-RI. To date, 11 of her artworks have been generously donated to non-profits throughout the state. Wendy contributes her time to the Providence Art Club, Athenaeum, Southside Community Land Trust, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Association and the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Rhode Island Chapter.
Karen Rand Anderson
Board of Directors
Karen is a Rhode Island painter working in a studio in a Pawtucket mill, and exhibits her vibrant abstract landscape work in a number of venues throughout New England. She grew up in upstate New York, and first came to Rhode Island in 1971 to attend Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating in 1977 with a degree in ceramics, a move to Connecticut took her away from Providence until 2010, when she happily returned to make it her home. She holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Northern Vermont University.
Karen’s support of Art Connection-RI began when she met Wendy Ingram in 2011, and
donated a number of paintings which found homes with several Rhode Island non-profit
organizations. She has served on the boards of several arts organizations, including Art League Rhode Island and the Mystic Arts Center, and currently serves on the Pawtucket Advisory Commission of Arts and Culture.
Kate Botelho Sibya
Board of Directors
Kate has spent her career working and volunteering with non-profits. Her life-long love of the arts and her background in photography led her to AC-RI. Kate has managed teams in Admissions and Retail Sales at The Preservation Society of Newport County and created digital marketing platforms and e-commerce websites to further the mission of various non-profits. Kate has worked with The Museum Store Association nationally to develop programming for young professionals and create career paths for art lovers.
Kayla David
Board of Directors
Kayla is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Director at FSRI, a local nonprofit providing social services to Rhode Island families. She founded the Hope and Resiliency Art Exhibit, an annual exhibit of art created by children in mental health recovery. Kayla believes in the healing power of art and ensuring all children have avenues for creative expression no matter their socio-economic status. She holds a Bachelor’s in Women and Gender Studies from Rhode Island College and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University of New England.