Audubon Provides Alternative Gallery Space to Artists with Natural Bent

Owls, cardinals, heron and other wild birds have taken over the auditorium of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center. Fortunately for the Center’s staff, the birds are two-dimensional and in the form of an art exhibit by Providence painter Tim Ohliger.

The EEC opened 10 years ago and has provided an alternative gallery space to local and regional artists for the past seven years. The main criterion is that the artwork match the mission of Audubon by being nature themed and “suitable for children.” Shows are hung in the auditorium for two months at a time, with a break in July and August for children’s summer camps. In they past they’ve shown everything from macro lens photography of dewdrops reflecting the surrounding world to scientific illustrations.

“We had seen these types of shows in a number of other facilities like ours, but part of it was just the walls are so dead in that room,” says Director Anne DiMonti. “They’re plain and stark and not welcoming, but the artwork changes that. We run so many programs – lectures, facility rentals, school groups – the work brightens up the walls for us and helps the artist at the same time.”

Both novice and professional artists are welcome to show in the space, though Dimonti admits sales are generally best with work priced under $250. The space can accommodate 30 to 40 small sized pieces, and all work must be two-dimensional and ready to hang. Artists are required to install and de-install the show, and they may promote it in any way they see fit. If they choose, the artists can also have an opening reception on the first Sunday of the month between 1 and 3 p.m. The ASRIEEC sends out media releases, information to their members and posts shows on their website calendar. They handle all sales during the course of the exhibit and take a 30% commission.

science teacher Joe Koger, who primarily paints images of birds on leaves, will be showing in May and June. The next exhibition, in September and October, will be prints by famed Newport marine photographer Onne van der Whal.

Admission to the ASRIEEC, which includes the exhibitions, is $6 and free for members.