Bannister Gallery 2025-26 Exhibitions

Rhode Island College 2-D Faculty Exhibition

Abstract painting with varying strokes in blue, green, and brown — Yingxue (Daisy) Li, *Spring II*, 2023, acrylic on linen

August 28-September 19, 2025
Opening Reception – Thursday, August 28th, 4-7pm

Bannister Gallery opens the 2025-26 exhibition schedule with our Annual Faculty Exhibition, which offers an opportunity for the community to experience first-hand the artistic talent that is in residence at Rhode Island College. These faculty artists are integral to the current aesthetic and conceptual dialogues present in our studio art department. Their practices include research-based and interdisciplinary methods that are at the core of contemporary art. RIC’s faculty artists exhibit widely and receive prestigious awards, grants, fellowships, and residencies. As a result, they encourage students by their example to think across boundaries. Collectively, these distinguished, award-winning artists bring a unique vision to the region’s cultural tapestry. Participating in the exhibition are the following full-time and adjunct faculty artists:

Philippe Dwyer
Sarah Hardesty
Liliya Krys
Yingxue (Daisy) Li
Paul Michael
Amy Montali
Michael Peery
John Rapczak
Rebecca Shipe
Jason Travers
Richard Whitten

In Bannister's Footsteps: A Contemporary Journey

Linocut print featuring a landscape with a man sitting on the coastline — Darrel Perkins, *Bannister's View*, 2024, linocut

October 2-24, 2025
Opening Reception – Thursday, October 2, 4-7pm
Artist Panel – Thursday, October 23, 5-6pm

The Bannister Community Art Project (BCAP) was launched in 2021 to support a permanent installation of a life-sized sculpture of Edward Mitchell Bannister that memorializes the artist. The success of BCAP can be seen in several community projects in his honor that continue to engage the public in dialogue that encourages community partnerships and cross cultural relationships.

This exhibition continues with that intent, selecting five contemporary artists to carry on the spirit of Bannister through new interpretations of his life and artistic themes. Shawndavid Berry, Doug Cowan, Darrel Perkins, Ponnapa Prakkamakul, and Michael Talbot will each be contributing artworks to the exhibition, including at least one new piece directly inspired by Bannister’s legacy.