The River Studio Gallery

The gallery is dedicated to nurturing artistic expression and fostering community engagement by offering a cost-free and commission-free space for artists to create and display their work. The venue features designated areas for a broad range of artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, carpentry, multimedia workshops, and digital media workstations.

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It also boasts a food pantry, a food preparation area, a sound stage, a beverage cafe, and a library of art books, making it a comprehensive resource for both artists and the community.

 

The gallery hosts seasonal group art exhibitions that are open to the public at no charge, significantly contributing to the local community and economy. These events provide artists with crucial exposure and enhance the cultural vibrancy of Norwichtown. Moreover, the gallery offers its space for artist meetings and other cultural assemblies, further cementing its role as a hub for artistic collaboration.

 

About the Artist: Michael David Brathwaite, is a contemporary artist working across painting, sculpture, digital photography, and design. Throughout his artistic journey, he has embraced the philosophy of allowing the medium to define his subject matter. Michael's art is born from a desire to explore scenes filled with ambiguity, a theme deeply embedded in his creative process.

 

His artistic career was built on full scholarships at distinguished institutions such as the Art Students League, the New York Studio School, and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. These experiences led him to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where Michael graduated in 1978. Mr. Brathwaite's career has been enriched by roles in art education and administration, including Director of Fine Arts Instruction at his alma mater, and positions in admissions and counseling at institutions such as Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute.

 

Creativity is at the core of his work- a mysterious realm within his mind and experience that continually inspires him. Michael's technique is a product of lifelong experimentation and fortuitous discoveries, refined over 65 years of dedicated practice. It is within this ongoing exploration that his unique artistic voice has emerged.

 

Mr. Brathwaite's solo exhibitions have brought to life series such as "Rhythmic Ambiguities" at Merrill Gallery and "True Colors" at Cragin Library. They have been featured in venues from the Cathedral of Saint John Divine in Manhattan to more intimate settings like Artspace in Norwich, Connecticut. His group exhibitions include contributions to esteemed gatherings like the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta and the Philadelphia Academy of Art's "US Art Census '86."

 

As the owner of the River Studio Gallery in Norwich, Connecticut, Michael continues exploring and experimenting, embracing the unexpected shifts that art can take. For inquiries or visits, contact Michael Brathwaite via email at [email protected] or by phone at (212) 473-1035.