Our Last Hurrah - Recent Work by Jim Bush

Yes, it's true. YES Gallery + Studio is closing it's doors at the end of the month. Our last exhibition, Recent Works by Jim Bush, opens this Friday December 4th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. with the usual fanfare - wine, candied nuts, yummy nibbles and, of course, copious amounts of cheese - and runs through Sunday December 20th. Jim Bush is a renowned illustrator and political cartoonist. He's won awards for his fine art work and his cartoons have been featured regularly in The Providence Journal Bulletin since 1994, and other publications around the country. Bush works in acrylic, watercolor and ink with a style marked by a vibrant and exaggerated color palette and strong line quality. His subject matter ranges from off-kilter cityscapes to whimsical caricatures of animals. A tandem exhibition of Bush’s watercolors is on view over at our friends' place, Muse Jewelry Boutique for the month of December. In addition to Jim's work there will also be gift-sized works by other local artists. We hope to see you there! For more information email us at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or call (401) 245-7174.

THIS SUNDAY! Warren Walkabout + BIG Sale!

Our town of Warren is truly delightful. It's a tax-free arts district, so we are chock full of artists and crafters. It's got beautiful historic architecture, is situated right on the water, and has a great bike path that runs through town. There's groovy small businesses and a quaint Main Street. This Sunday October 25th is the 'Warren Walkabout' which showcases all the great things our town has to offer. It's from 11-5 p.m. and includes town-wide Open Studios (and galleries, ahem), free trolley rides, a 'Taste of Warren' and more. On top of that, we're having a big, big sale here at the gallery so there's no better time to get thee to Warren!!

CINDY KELLY, NEW WORKS

It's hard to imagine you need another excuse to get out to Block Island (a most gorgeous and quaint New England island which often draws comparisons to Ireland), but if you do then we hope you'll make it out in the next two weeks for YES Gallery's latest island exhibition by local favorite, Cindy Kelly.

The show opens tomorrow night (on Chapel Street, next to Eli's) with a reception from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m., and you won't be disappointed by Kelly's thought-provoking and beautifully rendered paintings. Each references figures from old family photographs set against carnivalesque or seaside backdrops. Each haunting vignette seems ripe with a mysterious story, or stories. Trust us - these are the types of pieces that leave an impression; pieces in which you will always discover something new the more you ponder.

Folks who wish to see more, but can't make it to the island, can email for images (or wait patiently for our Flickr page to be updated.) You can reach us by phone at (401) 245-7174 or email at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

New Photos up!

We've added a couple new sets to our Flickr page including the current 'Circle of Latitude' show, pics of our opening reception, and some images of the wee Block Island location. Enjoy! (Above image: "Jen" by Travis Huggett)

'Circle of Latitude' Exhibit: Sept 11 - Oct 11

Six awesome photographers - Travis Huggett (NYC), Olivia Wright (NYC), Elle Moss (MI), John Hames (RI), Emily Lindquist (CA) and Kimberly Andrade (RI) - will be featured in our upcoming exhibit, Circle of Latitude, which explores humans and their relation to space and place. Join us on Friday September 11 from 7-8:30 for the opening reception of the show. Nibbles & wine abound, as per usual. Works by other fabulous gallery artists also on display. For more information contact the gallery at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or (401) 245-7174.

Meet Jessica Gonacha tonight! Reception 6-8:30

CONNECT/INTERSECT opens tonight and spotlights the new body of work by one of our faves, Jessica Gonacha. The artist herself will be present, all the way from Atlanta, Georgia! We're thrilled to host her in our first "solo" show (solo is in quotes, because she's more of a featured artist. We've actually got some other awesome art to brag about, including embroidered pieces by Joetta Maue, wire drawings by C.W. Roelle, and some quirky characters by Doubleparlour. See below!) Jess's new body of work explores the ways in which we interact with each other, our environment and ourselves. Her mixed media paintings are always a visual treat with elements of woodblock printing and pattern-making. Anyhoo, we hope you'll brave the rain tonight and join us for the festivities, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m! For more information, call us at (401) 245-7174 or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com. "Chereiko," polymer clay & paint, by Doubleparlour
"Scene from the Great Apothecary Stick-up of 1948" wire, by C.W. Roelle
"On the Couch" Embroidery on found linen, by Joetta Maue

Friday Night vs. Sunday Morning....

Friday night opening receptions are always festive affairs, but we thought it'd be fun to try something different. On May 31st we'll open our next group show with a Sunday brunch reception from 10:30 - 12:30. As usual there will be great art with some familiar and brand new gallery artists. (More on those lovely creators to come.) We'll be replacing wine & cheese with mimosas & mini quiches. Oh, and showing off our gorgeous gallery backyard (above.) Of course, there will be grapes. There's always grapes. If you're lucky someone might even feed you one. And then you'll feel like a sybarite. (Note: great vocab word to impress friends.) Anyhoo, we urge you kindly to save the date! See you next Sunday!

This Could Be You Tonight!

Imagine this... your eyes gazing upon colors and lines and forms, combinations of which you've never seen together; your ears soothed by the strum of the ukelele; your tongue saturated with the taste of fresh roquefort cheese washed down with cheap wine; your wallet comforted by that 10% discount you just got on a great piece of art. Sounds delightful, no? Here's a secret, all this and more can be yours! Here's how: 1) Get in the car, 2) Drive to YES Gallery + Studio, 3) Celebrate our One Year Anniversary Exhibition tonight, from 7-9 p.m. Your senses will thank you. If you need more info call us at (401) 245-7174 or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

Celebrating One Year of YES!

We can hardly believe it's been one year since YES Gallery + Studio opened its doors in historic downtown Warren. We've sold a lot of beautiful art, made a lot of new friends, and donated 5% of our profits to ten local non-profits. Truth is, we couldn't do it - wouldn't do it! - if it weren't for the likes of you. We really want to celebrate you and thank you for such a great year. Please join us Friday April 10th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. to enjoy new work by our talented YES artists and guest exhibitors. Eat some yummy nibbles, drink wine, and be soothed by the vintage Hawaiian and tropical standards played live by Ricky Russo & The Mai Tai Serenaders. For more info about the event or artwork call us at (401) 245-7174, or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

"The Diamond Tree" by Jessica Gonacha

"Vultures Planter" by Steve Godfrey

"The Corner" by David Gonville

Untitled Chair by Karen Miller

Geometric bracelet by Alison Raposa


"Saxonia" by C.W.Roelle


"Moonlight Serenade" by Doug Desjardins

VOTE FOR YES Gallery + Studio!!

Your superb voting skills got us noticed by the Providence Phoenix (more on that to come) and now we're hoping you'll help us out again by writing us in as 'Best Gallery' in the Rhode Island Monthly's 'Best of Rhode Island' Poll. Click here to hook a gallery up! While your at it, consider voting for some other Warren favorites like Modern Printed Matter, DISH, or Muse Jewelry Boutique.

Gourmet Nibbles at YES

We love us some delicious, creative food so we're thrilled to host Chef Joe Simone this week. Chef Simone's new restaurant The Sunnyside is opening down the street from YES next month. Join us this Thursday 3/26 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. to sample some treats and view the beautiful "Some of Its Parts" exhibit with Dolan Geiman and Shelley Kommers. For more information give us a ring at (401) 245-7174 or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

New Images online!

The gallery is full of color and life these days. And there's a hyacinth blooming in the window which is giving off a lovely perfume. I wish you all could come experience it for yourselves. It's an inspiring place to work, I'll tell you. For those who can't make it to lil ole Rhode Island, check out the latest photos here. As usual, they just don't do justice to the work. For more info about anything you see contact YES Gallery + Studio at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or call (401) 245-7174.

Reminder: Tonight - Art, Food, Love!

Don't forget to join us tonight 6-8:30 p.m. for the opening reception of "SOME OF ITS PARTS" starring the works of Dolan Geiman and Shelley Kommers! For more information call us at (401) 245-7174 or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com

Sneak Peek! Dolan Geiman & Shelley Kommers!

We're so excited to be receiving a bunch of Dolan Geiman's pieces this week. If you don't know his folk-pop work, you will be in for a treat. Dolan's work is "green" in the truest sense as he utilizes salvaged wood for many of his constructions. He also creates beautiful collage paintings with eco-friendly materials. Hailing from the South (though currently residing in Chicago) Dolan's work evokes that weathered rural aesthetic familiar to folk art. At the same time uses screenprinting and text the way any street artist worth his weight in salt would. The results have made Dolan a favorite in the Art & Design blog world, spotlighted by the likes of Design*Sponge, Decor8 and Indie Fixx. Our upcoming exhibition pairs Dolan's work with another emerging artist, L.A. based Shelley Kommers, whose intimate collages are drool-worthy. She too chooses found and recycled materials as the core of her work. Old letters, photos, travel guides, newspapers and more are cut and re- constructed, painted and drawn over. The resulting works are a cohesive blend of color, pattern, composition and concept. Join us on Friday February 27th from 6-8:30 p.m. as we celebrate the works of these two fabulous artists! Click on any of the above images for a closer look. For more information call YES Gallery + Studio at (401) 245-7174 or email yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

How to Tell Someone You "Heart" Them...

Show 'em some love with a digital heart print by Shannon Rankin! Three sizes at three awesome prices - $12, $22, and $32! This and other great gift ideas if you click here! Order by noon on Monday 2/9 to receive by Valentine's Day. To purhase a print or anything else that catches your eye call YES Gallery + Studio at (401) 245-7174.

Lookie Lookie!

In the business of visual arts we like to stimulate your eyes, so...

Photos of the GORGEOUS Happiness/Harmony Exhibition here, and the opening reception for it here. (Please forgive the quality. Halogen lights and digital camera do not mix well apparently.)

If you see anything you like and want more info, feel free to call us at (401) 245-7174 or send some words to yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

How 'Bout some Japanese Short Films this Friday Night?

If you got the show postcard, this will jog your memory about tomorrow night's event. If you didn't get the show postcard we gotta get you on the mailing list! (You can enter your email to the right for e-postcards, or email us with your address if you prefer hard copy.) As you know 5% of our exhibition proceeds go to non-profits. This time around we're supporting Flicker Arts Collaborative who are responsible for bringing us the very prestigious and cool Rhode Island International Film Festival. Tomorrow night the gallery is hosting a "You Be The Judge Film Night" where participants will screen some Japanese short film entries into the '09 Festival and help decide if they'll make the cut. (Oh, the power you'll wield!) The event is from 7-8:30 p.m., is free and will probably include some kind of sugary snack. Here's the catch - we have limited seating, so reservations are required. As of this blog post we've got about 5 seats left. Soooo R.S.V.P. A.S.A.P!! Call us at (401) 245-7174 or email at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

Happiness/Harmony opens this Friday!

I debated whether or not Happiness/Harmony was too trite for a show title, but I just couldn't stop thinking about Kana Ito's artist statement which mentions the word happiness no less than four times in its opening paragraph. In it she says, "The most important thing is happiness. Happiness is all around us, but some can see it and some cannot," and this reminded me that the simplest things are often the most profound. I love Kana's work. It DOES make me happy. I'm thrilled to have it in the gallery and honored that we're the only gallery in the states to carry her. Along with Kana's paintings, we'll be showing the work of some amazing artists including Beth Ozarow, Megan Hinton, Kathrine Lovell, Doug Desjardins, Leah Giberson, Deborah Baronas, Rick Reese, Meighan Morrison, Cynthia Guild, Bryan Nash Gill, Rachel Austin, Chantelle Goldthwaite and more. Hope to see you Friday night Jan 16th for the opening reception from 6:00 to 8:30. For more info call us at (401) 245-7174 or by email at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

"Meadowlands" by Kathrine Lovell





"From Above" by Beth Ozarow









"Maybe" by Rick Reese

On Vacation until January 14th!

The gallery is closed this week for some deep cleaning, repainting, etc etc. We will reopen on Wednesday January 14th. Mark your calendars for Happiness/Harmony, opening with a reception on Friday 1/16 from 6-8:30 p.m. See you then!