Photo via www.flickr.com/photos/rsfrd/328544813
To describe the Curatorium in Providence you need to start with the Rhode Island School of Design, which is the heart of Providence’s culture of art and design. RISD is the number one Fine Arts Program in the Country according to many including US News and World Report. The application to get into RISD is a bit different then most. “The first drawing must represent a bicycle; the second drawing may be of any subject or situation but your finished drawing must utilize both sides of the sheet of drawing paper; for the third drawing, begin with a sheet of paper, alter the form of this paper in any way you wish and then make a drawing of this altered form.” The requirements have changed some over the years, but the infamous bicycle drawing is permanent part of the test and has become quite infamous amongst alumni, and those passed over.
RISD’s notable alumni are as varied as they are impressive. Three whose bicycles were deemed worthy are illustrator/street artist Shepard Fairey of ‘Obey the Giant” fame, Dale Chihuhy whose glass sculptures dominate the V & A museum in London and the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, and animator Seth MacFarlane who created the Family Guy.
With all of this creative talent RISD decided to create a retail store, that is where Matt Bird comes in, “I was working as a wholesaler and manufacturer, when RISD approached me about a project they were developing, RISD Works. It was going to be a retail store which sold artwork and designs by RISD alumni. I worked on developing a business plan, designing the fixtures, pretty much everything to get the store up and running. I was there about 5 years. After leaving RISD Works, I was freelancing and teaching part time. I saw a “FOR RENT” sign go up on Wickenden St., in a location that I knew would be great for a gift shop. So I jumped right in, and used everything I’d learned from my previous experience to get this store going.” (read the full interview at Design Glut )
“This store” is the Curatorium. When Yankee Magazine gave it an editors choice award it said, “Curatorium is the brainchild of owner Matt Bird, whose motto is “Everything Deserves Curation.” And he doesn’t disappoint”.
A yelper agrees, “[Their] philosophy that is evident throughout this well-decorated store and its carefully selected, meticulously displayed merchandise. The items here are varied, but lean heavily toward designer dishes and kitchen utensils, Asian-inspired objects and kitsch, cards and stationery, jewelry, and books. I particularly love the books, which seem to be chosen for their design (always good) as well as their content (always offbeat and fun). The staff is incredibly nice… Best of all, the prices vary from three bucks to a couple hundred bucks, meaning that you can buy someone something cute without breaking your budget, whatever it may be.”
Chief Curator Matt Bird probably says it best in his own words, “Everything in The Curatorium is well considered. Both the $5- insect stickers and the $240- star lantern are well designed, well made, useful, amusing, attractive, even irresistible. The plush warthog was probably made as a child’s toy. That it gracefully balances realism with charm guarantees its appeal to adults too. Part design store, part Natural History Museum, part small-town gift shop, The Curatorium offers something for everyone, and gifts for all occasions, in all price ranges.”
Ink Dish is thrilled to be on the shelves, cool dinnerware right next to the plush warthog.
The Rhode Island School of Design
