This is a stretch of Providence’s historic street-scape that always wows the visiting aunts and uncles (“Got anything like this in Peoria?”). But many of us just walk past the Providence Art Club without realizing that the exhibitions are free and open to the public.
There is a cool show up now (four more days) featuring the work of two former RISD professors — oils by Dean Richardson and the metalwork of Rhode Island resident, Merlin Szasz. Sadly, I was unable to find a picture of the Szasz sculptures and reliefs (he’s in his 70’s and clearly has all the commissions he can handle, why bother with a website I suppose). Inspired by mythology, nature and a fevered imagination, Szasz shapes bronze, stainless steel and gold into Art Nouveau fantasmagoria, big and small. Enter the Art Club through the gazillion pound mahogany door in the brick building on the right — then walk up the stairs. This exhibition only stays up through Thursday! Go now.
Providence Art Club open weekdays noon to 5PM/Saturday and Sunday 2PM to 4PM/11 Thomas Street/331.1114
For images of Merlin Szasz and Dean Richardson’s work visit http://www.providenceartclub.org and click on “Exhibitions.”