About the Providence Art Club
Founded in 1880, the Providence Art Club has long been a place for our artists and patrons of the arts to create, congregate, display and circulate works of art. Located on historic College Hill, the Art Club is housed in a picturesque procession of historic buildings, home to our clubhouse, studios and galleries. Through its ongoing exhibits, programs, art classes and other activities, the Providence Art Club continues a welcoming tradition of sponsoring and supporting the visual arts.
Steeped in Tradition
Our founders envisioned a place to gather, with an exhibition gallery for artists and collectors. Today, we hold a variety of monthly social events, presentations and lectures for our members and their guests. The Club’s history and popularity has always revolved around the spirit and the camaraderie of our members, both artists and patrons.
Club Activities
Our monthly social events include members nights with cocktails and dinner, followed by special presentations or music programs. Our June Strawberry Festival in the terrace garden showcases our culinary staff’s creative prowess. Artist talks often accompany gallery exhibitions. Our gallery openings are as much social events as they are exhibit kickoffs.
Our Galleries
Our three galleries are always free and open to the public. Recognized with Best of Rhode Island Awards for Best Gallery in Providence each year since 2019, the galleries primarily share work by our Exhibiting Artist Members. In addition to shows of member work, the Club hosts a Biennial College Exhibition, an Annual Community Invitational, as well as a prestigious annual National Open Juried Exhibition.
Art Classes
We host over 12 classes a week in the Club’s classroom and print studio, in addition to a series of specialty workshops in many traditional art forms: landscape, still life, portraiture, print making, life drawing, in various media watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, pencil, and photography. Occasionally, we offer classes and workshops in more varied areas such as collage, encaustics, stone carving, abstract painting, and more. Our faculty consists of Club artist members, plus local and internationally renowned teaching experts.
Culinary Arts
For a palate of a different sort, we offer intimate dining experiences in a class with the best restaurants in the region. Our dining rooms offer the ambiance of original architectural elements and painted silhouettes featuring various Club members, along with paintings and artwork of current and earlier members. We offer many à la carte and themed dinners throughout the year. The Club’s Café and Founders Room are open for lunch Monday through Friday.
A Toast to the Arts
Angell’s Lane, our charming lounge area and hub of social gatherings, is adjacent to the Maxwell Mays Gallery in the Club House. Enticing cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are served, as well as light fare for special occasions. For current bar hours, please contact reservations@providenceartclub.org.
Department Heads
Seb Borges
Alda Borges
Scott King
Julia Johnstone
Brenda Kercz
Saman Sajasi
Michael Rose
