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Today on #InternationalMuseumDay we are highlighting the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultures.

“The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums,” opening Thursday, May 21, reunites two albums of exquisite Japanese woodblock prints commissioned by poets in the 1820s and 1830s. One album is part of our collection; its companion has traveled from the Chiba City Museum of Art in Japan @ccma_jp to be presented as part of this exciting exhibition and collaboration.

Celebrate museums with a trip to our galleries and see art from around the globe! @icomofficiel

Image: Iga no Kurimi 意雅栗三, Surimono album 鶴廼屋序文栗三収集『摺物帖, late 1820s. Courtesy of the Chiba City Museum of Art.

22 years ago, the first legal same-sex marriage in the United States was performed in Massachusetts. To commemorate, we are sharing these striking portraits of LGBTQIA+ individuals by Jess T. Dugan @jesstdugan

Today is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – a global moment of solidarity, visibility,and collective action of LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. For support, advocacy, and community resources here in Rhode Island, visit: @pflagprovri @thenetworklared @ri_pride

Images: Jess T. Dugan, DEE DEE NGOZI, 55, ATLANTA, GA, 2016, 2018. Georgianna Sayles Aldrich Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, Self-portrait (reaching) from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, JD and Steve, from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund. © Jess T. Dugan.

#IDAHOBIT2026 #IDAHOBIT

22 years ago, the first legal same-sex marriage in the United States was performed in Massachusetts. To commemorate, we are sharing these striking portraits of LGBTQIA+ individuals by Jess T. Dugan @jesstdugan

Today is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – a global moment of solidarity, visibility,and collective action of LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. For support, advocacy, and community resources here in Rhode Island, visit: @pflagprovri @thenetworklared @ri_pride

Images: Jess T. Dugan, DEE DEE NGOZI, 55, ATLANTA, GA, 2016, 2018. Georgianna Sayles Aldrich Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, Self-portrait (reaching) from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, JD and Steve, from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund. © Jess T. Dugan.

#IDAHOBIT2026 #IDAHOBIT

22 years ago, the first legal same-sex marriage in the United States was performed in Massachusetts. To commemorate, we are sharing these striking portraits of LGBTQIA+ individuals by Jess T. Dugan @jesstdugan

Today is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – a global moment of solidarity, visibility,and collective action of LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. For support, advocacy, and community resources here in Rhode Island, visit: @pflagprovri @thenetworklared @ri_pride

Images: Jess T. Dugan, DEE DEE NGOZI, 55, ATLANTA, GA, 2016, 2018. Georgianna Sayles Aldrich Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, Self-portrait (reaching) from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund.

Jess T. Dugan, JD and Steve, from Every Breath We Drew, 2020. Walter H. Kimball Fund. © Jess T. Dugan.

#IDAHOBIT2026 #IDAHOBIT

Zimo Yang (RISD Illustration, 2026) @zimowashere created these playful character designs for our upcoming exhibition “The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums.”

The two characters were inspired by the printer’s stamp in the lower left corner and the hobby horse print featured in slide 2. The pair help demonstrate the process of Japanese woodblock printing.

After first sketching the series, Zimo finalized the illustrations using a softer, subdued palette: “My personal work often uses brighter colors, so this was a way of adapting my style while keeping the focus on the artworks,” she says “This helped me find a balance between maintaining my voice and fitting the tone of the show.”

We’re grateful to Zimo for lending her creativity and talent to this exhibition!

Images: 1, 3, 4: Courtesy of the artist.
2: Details of Nagayama Kōin 長山孔寅, Baien 梅園; Tani Seikō 谷清好, Hobby Horse and Vegetables, ca. 1825-1827. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf.

Zimo Yang (RISD Illustration, 2026) @zimowashere created these playful character designs for our upcoming exhibition “The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums.”

The two characters were inspired by the printer’s stamp in the lower left corner and the hobby horse print featured in slide 2. The pair help demonstrate the process of Japanese woodblock printing.

After first sketching the series, Zimo finalized the illustrations using a softer, subdued palette: “My personal work often uses brighter colors, so this was a way of adapting my style while keeping the focus on the artworks,” she says “This helped me find a balance between maintaining my voice and fitting the tone of the show.”

We’re grateful to Zimo for lending her creativity and talent to this exhibition!

Images: 1, 3, 4: Courtesy of the artist.
2: Details of Nagayama Kōin 長山孔寅, Baien 梅園; Tani Seikō 谷清好, Hobby Horse and Vegetables, ca. 1825-1827. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf.

Zimo Yang (RISD Illustration, 2026) @zimowashere created these playful character designs for our upcoming exhibition “The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums.”

The two characters were inspired by the printer’s stamp in the lower left corner and the hobby horse print featured in slide 2. The pair help demonstrate the process of Japanese woodblock printing.

After first sketching the series, Zimo finalized the illustrations using a softer, subdued palette: “My personal work often uses brighter colors, so this was a way of adapting my style while keeping the focus on the artworks,” she says “This helped me find a balance between maintaining my voice and fitting the tone of the show.”

We’re grateful to Zimo for lending her creativity and talent to this exhibition!

Images: 1, 3, 4: Courtesy of the artist.
2: Details of Nagayama Kōin 長山孔寅, Baien 梅園; Tani Seikō 谷清好, Hobby Horse and Vegetables, ca. 1825-1827. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf.

Zimo Yang (RISD Illustration, 2026) @zimowashere created these playful character designs for our upcoming exhibition “The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums.”

The two characters were inspired by the printer’s stamp in the lower left corner and the hobby horse print featured in slide 2. The pair help demonstrate the process of Japanese woodblock printing.

After first sketching the series, Zimo finalized the illustrations using a softer, subdued palette: “My personal work often uses brighter colors, so this was a way of adapting my style while keeping the focus on the artworks,” she says “This helped me find a balance between maintaining my voice and fitting the tone of the show.”

We’re grateful to Zimo for lending her creativity and talent to this exhibition!

Images: 1, 3, 4: Courtesy of the artist.
2: Details of Nagayama Kōin 長山孔寅, Baien 梅園; Tani Seikō 谷清好, Hobby Horse and Vegetables, ca. 1825-1827. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf.

Bring your craft project to the museum for a casual hangout with other fiber artists!

Stop by this Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 PM to connect with other fiber enthusiasts during this low pressure and FREE making session. Led by @lolaspilled

Save your free spot via the link in bio ↑

On this day in 1963, Bob Dylan walked off the set of The Ed Sullivan Show after the network refused to let him perform a satirical song.

In turning down his first major national TV appearance, Dylan made clear his uncompromising standards for creative freedom.

Image: Amalie R. Rothschild, Untitled (Bob Dylan, Isle of Wight, 1969), 1969. Gift of Edward Grazda in honor of Harry Callahan. © Amalie R. Rothschild.

Khalil McKnight (RISD BFA 2027, Painting) @khalilmcknight_, winner of the 2026 Dorner Prize will perform The Observer for the final time this Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM!

Stop by our galleries for free to experience this provocative performance that critically examines institutional access and the relationship of Black and Brown bodies to museum spaces.

Khalil McKnight (RISD BFA 2027, Painting) @khalilmcknight_, winner of the 2026 Dorner Prize will perform The Observer for the final time this Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM!

Stop by our galleries for free to experience this provocative performance that critically examines institutional access and the relationship of Black and Brown bodies to museum spaces.

Khalil McKnight (RISD BFA 2027, Painting) @khalilmcknight_, winner of the 2026 Dorner Prize will perform The Observer for the final time this Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM!

Stop by our galleries for free to experience this provocative performance that critically examines institutional access and the relationship of Black and Brown bodies to museum spaces.

Celebrate bold and masterful Japanese woodblock prints during our FREE opening reception of "The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums" on Thursday, May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 PM! Save your free spot via the link in bio ↑

200 years ago, the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII was famous for his dynamic theater performances. His fans and artistic circle produced surimono, luxurious woodblock prints, to celebrate the actor's riveting performances.

Image: Sakuragawa Jihinari 桜川慈悲成, Ichikawa Danjurō VII as Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa in the play Shibaraku; Ichikawa Danjuro VII (Nanadai Ichikawa Danjuro), ca. 1830. Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Celebrate bold and masterful Japanese woodblock prints during our FREE opening reception of "The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums" on Thursday, May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 PM! Save your free spot via the link in bio ↑

200 years ago, the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII was famous for his dynamic theater performances. His fans and artistic circle produced surimono, luxurious woodblock prints, to celebrate the actor's riveting performances.

Image: Sakuragawa Jihinari 桜川慈悲成, Ichikawa Danjurō VII as Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa in the play Shibaraku; Ichikawa Danjuro VII (Nanadai Ichikawa Danjuro), ca. 1830. Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Hey knitters, crocheters, embroiders, and all fiber crafters – stop by the museum to craft together in community!

Process as Power, led by museum educator Lola Rael, is a making session fostering an inclusive and supportive space for fiber artists of all levels.

Join us Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 PM, register for FREE via the link in bio ↑

Spend Mother's Day among beautiful art, quiet, and peaceful respite in our galleries.

Plan meaningful time with the mothers in your life by reserving your tickets to the museum via the link in bio to ↑

Image: Photography by Dee Speaks.

May the 4th be with you. Do you think this untitled photograph of sand dunes and clouds by Arthur J. Bell evokes more Jakku or Tatooine?

Image: Arthur J. Bell, Untitled (sand hills with blue sky and clouds), n.d. Gift of the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the Center for Creative Photography, The University of Arizona.

The energy we're bringing to May 💃

Image: Jean Baptiste Pillement, May; from Allégories des douze mois de l'année (Allegories of the Twelve Months of the Year), 1759. Mary B. Jackson Fund.

The energy we're bringing to May 💃

Image: Jean Baptiste Pillement, May; from Allégories des douze mois de l'année (Allegories of the Twelve Months of the Year), 1759. Mary B. Jackson Fund.

The RISD art circle (RAC) @risdmuseumteens is a group of local high school artists and art enthusiasts who explore and activate the museum’s galleries through a variety of projects and collaborations. Recently, the group has been visiting local galleries and experiencing new art together including - 

@ylsanita exhibition, “PROV ALWAYS BEEN: The Receipts” at @as220galleries

@feliciamegginson_artprojects solo exhibition “Felicia Megginson: Re-Framing Nature” at @pcgalleries

@tomaquagmuseum

Woods-Gerry Gallery and talked to amazing @risdpaint senior’s: @heyitsanna0 @raysw4rtz @lucy.art08 @artbyinga @clarehawkinson

The RISD art circle (RAC) @risdmuseumteens is a group of local high school artists and art enthusiasts who explore and activate the museum’s galleries through a variety of projects and collaborations. Recently, the group has been visiting local galleries and experiencing new art together including - 

@ylsanita exhibition, “PROV ALWAYS BEEN: The Receipts” at @as220galleries

@feliciamegginson_artprojects solo exhibition “Felicia Megginson: Re-Framing Nature” at @pcgalleries

@tomaquagmuseum

Woods-Gerry Gallery and talked to amazing @risdpaint senior’s: @heyitsanna0 @raysw4rtz @lucy.art08 @artbyinga @clarehawkinson

The RISD art circle (RAC) @risdmuseumteens is a group of local high school artists and art enthusiasts who explore and activate the museum’s galleries through a variety of projects and collaborations. Recently, the group has been visiting local galleries and experiencing new art together including - 

@ylsanita exhibition, “PROV ALWAYS BEEN: The Receipts” at @as220galleries

@feliciamegginson_artprojects solo exhibition “Felicia Megginson: Re-Framing Nature” at @pcgalleries

@tomaquagmuseum

Woods-Gerry Gallery and talked to amazing @risdpaint senior’s: @heyitsanna0 @raysw4rtz @lucy.art08 @artbyinga @clarehawkinson

The RISD art circle (RAC) @risdmuseumteens is a group of local high school artists and art enthusiasts who explore and activate the museum’s galleries through a variety of projects and collaborations. Recently, the group has been visiting local galleries and experiencing new art together including - 

@ylsanita exhibition, “PROV ALWAYS BEEN: The Receipts” at @as220galleries

@feliciamegginson_artprojects solo exhibition “Felicia Megginson: Re-Framing Nature” at @pcgalleries

@tomaquagmuseum

Woods-Gerry Gallery and talked to amazing @risdpaint senior’s: @heyitsanna0 @raysw4rtz @lucy.art08 @artbyinga @clarehawkinson