“Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art.“

We are an engaged group of people where all of our members can pursue their art within a supportive, creative community.

We define art as anything that people make or do to explore and follow their creativity where ever it may lead. And we define artists as those wonderful souls who commit to making their art for themselves and for others. This includes painting and photography and sculpture and weaving and pottery but it is broader than that. It includes teaching, poetry, weaving, writing, dance, film, woodcraft, wild craft, working a beautiful garden, baking a great lemon pie. It is broader than even that. Most important of all, it includes all those who bring a hopeful, creative, generative spirit in the way they build their lives.

We are inspired by the artists who have come before us, within our community and out there in the world. We intend to follow the advice of that great theologian and philosopher, Abraham Heschel: “Know that every deed counts, that every word is power... Remember, there is meaning beyond absurdity. Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art.”

We believe that to be human is to have the capacity to do this, and we think that anyone who gives her or himself a chance to embark on his or her own creative journey, will find their own sense of wonder, and will help to heal our world. We think that any long journey is best when it is taken together and we know that Block Island is exactly the place we can come together for that purpose. We welcome anyone, of any age, skill level or background who wants to embark on this journey with us.

The island gives us its beauty and this is what we give in return. We share our work and experience in order to enrich our lives through connection with others. We share our work because it inspires us. We share our work because it makes us do better. We share our work because it declares who we are. We share our work because it connects us with each other and with amazing people who come to visit or who live here with us.

We offer venues for members who live on Block Island to exhibit their work through open studios, exhibits, workshops and other special events. We offer ways for folks from on and off island to attend workshops, access our materials, see our work and participate in other creative experiences. We encourage and support the work of other galleries and creative organizations on Block Island. We encourage each and every member to find what is theirs to do, and and we want to help other find out how they might bring creative gifts to the world.

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