Collaborative going into new year with eyes wide open

Warren arts group looks to spring reopening with fresh gallery, ideas, and some experience in the bank

By Christy Nadalin
Posted 1/22/18

Tuesday nights are when the founding members of The Collaborative get their best work done, meeting in their space on Main Street in Warren to socialize, organize their space, and plan upcoming …

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Collaborative going into new year with eyes wide open

Warren arts group looks to spring reopening with fresh gallery, ideas, and some experience in the bank

Posted

Tuesday nights are when the founding members of The Collaborative get their best work done, meeting in their space on Main Street in Warren to socialize, organize their space, and plan upcoming events. On a recent such evening, cofounders Jeff Danielian, Uriah Donnelly and Adam Tracy, and artist Todd Moen, were on hand making plans to freshen the interior of the gallery with the goal of providing more space for artwork. "We want to reinvigorate the space, bring in new artists," said Danielian.

The Collaborative is unique among gallery spaces in the area, in that they are both un-juried and uncensored, much like Providence's AS220. It was one of the motivating factors behind the founding of The Collaborative, two years ago this March. "There are lots of great galleries in the area," said Danielian. "But we weren't seeing a place that was hanging a lot of the stuff we liked — our friends' work." Of course, the work does pass some review. "We all look at everything," said Tracy. "And we all have to really like it. We welcome any artist to reach out to us, and get to know the space." They admitted to meeting one artist whose work may have approached a certain threshold (and declined to provide the salacious details), but the work was never formally presented for review.

The founders of the Collaborative, all Warren residents, come from background in arts and education: Danielian teaches science and is the director of enrichment at LaSalle Academy, Donnelly is a former RIC professor who currently works with arts organizations ranging from the Art Connection in Pawtucket to Bristol Warren Art Night, and Tracy is a painter and printmaker who also teaches art at Tiverton High School. Since their founding, the original group has expanded to include Todd Moen, a local leather artist. "Todd started coming to meetings," said Danielian. "So we had him join us." The Collaborative itself grew organically from the founders' talents and interests and, according to their website, began with barstool inspiration at that most Warren of institutions, Jack's Bar.

The Collaborative is still in the process of growing into its ideas. "In our first year, we had overwhelming help," said Danielian. "Then when we looked back at that anniversary, we decided to take a more laid back approach into the next year. But we may have been a little too laid back." Initially, the founders hoped to operate without charging commissions to artists, but soon learned that was not conducive to keeping the lights on. So now they charge a 30 percent commission, and pass the hat at live events, splitting the proceeds with the performers. "People love the venue, and they are very generous. And artists love performing in this intimate space."

Operating as an all-volunteer organization, everyone just does what needs to be done to execute the group's vision. Donnelly, the Executive Director, admitted he carries the title because "we need labels" before a brief discussion ensued over who ought to be the treasurer. Donnelly's point is well taken, particularly given the name of the organization. And this collaborative effort has already produced a wonderfully eclectic lineup over the past two years, of events raining from courses to concerts and shows, poetry and storytelling. They are also open to being approached by members of the community to host film or book clubs. "We're very open new opportunities," said Tracy. "We're all about how we can make this work," added Danielian.

One things that The Collaborative does well and wants to continue to focus is supporting young artists. "Adam works with them; guides them on how to professionally show their work," said Donnelly. The Collaborative's first main initiative in 2018 will serve to both nurture and create young artists. They are putting together an arts camp, to be held at the Mary V. Quirk school, during the Bristol Warren school vacation at the end of March. Working with other members of the local arts education community, they hope to offer a range of courses in visual arts including and printmaking, as well as filmmaking.

The founders of The Collaborative love Warren, and they're protective of the town as it is: a great community, and a great place to live. Despite recent attention the town has received as a growing arts hub, they didn't set out to serve any particular agenda. "We're not doing this on purpose," said Donnelly. "We're just doing what we want to do and if everyone else wants too, well, that makes it better."

Danielian agreed. "We're just trying to create a place where people can be around people who create things."

For more information about upcoming events, including vacation art camp, visit thecollaborative02885.org or find them on Facebook.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.