Visitors to Providence will enjoy "London Calling" as the British invade the Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) during the "Made in the UK: Contemporary Art from the Richard Brown Baker Collection" exhibit, scheduled for September 23, 2011 through January 8, 2012. This exhibit will feature more than 100 paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures demonstrating the British contribution to a variety of movements including Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art and Photorealism. With one of the largest collections of contemporary British art in the world, RISD's "Made in the UK" will feature work from important artists such as John Parks, Jim Lambie, Bridget Riley, Yinka Shonibare and David Hockney, as well as Young British Artists such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Rachel Whiteread. Admission for the exhibit is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $3 for college students and youth ages five to 18.
Providence native Richard Brown Baker (1912-2002) donated a multitude of British works to the Museum of Art, and established the Richard Brown Baker Fund for Contemporary British Art to enable RISD to acquire new works by living British artists. Many of the exhibit's artists are represented at the Tate and other important collections, but are not seen in depth at American museums.
In addition to the exhibit, visitors harboring a love of the Union Jack, fish and chips, and the Royal Family, can make their way to the Duck & Bunny. A "snuggery" on Wickenden Street, Duck & Bunny is offering a "Made in the UK" promotion. For $18 per person, guests can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at any time during the day. The Afternoon Tea includes five finger sandwiches, a housemade scone with jams and imported Devonshire cream, mini-cupcakes and sweets, and an individual pot of any of our 25 locally blended teas. For more information, visit www.theduckandbunny.com or call 401-270-3300.
Blithewold, a mansion situated on Bristol Harbor and featuring expansive grounds with a garden and arboretum, is hosting an afternoon tea and floral design session each Friday from September 23 until October 7, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adult non-members and $12 for adult members. For more information, visit www.blithewold.org or call 401-351-6513.
For more information about RISD's "Made in the UK" exhibit, visit www.risdmuseum.org. For images, click here. For information on booking a getaway to Providence, visit www.goprovidence.com.