From the Collection

Sustainability & the Natural World Alexandra Poterack Mariani Lefas-Tetenes Sustainability and the natural world From ancient examples to contemporary practices, the museum’s collection and exhibitions offer responses to past challenges and models for building more sustainable futures. Take Care

Reading List

Sustainability & the Natural World Mariani Lefas-Tetenes Alexandra Poterack Sustainability and the natural world These are additional resources we’ve found useful to engage in dialogue and to provide information around environmental and climate issues, impacts and actions. Issue 15 — Green | RISD Museum Publications

Confronting our Carbon Footprint

Rya Jetha College Student Voices Sustainability and the natural world Traditional museum practice has a gigantic carbon footprint. How is the RISD Museum changing its own practices in response to the climate emergency?

K-12 Virtual Visit

Thomas Cole, Landscape (Landscape with Tree Trunks), 1828 MJ Robinson Mariani Lefas-Tetenes Educators K-12 Virtual Visits Sustainability and the natural world How does a landscape painting made in 1828 by English-American artist Thomas Cole both reinforce and intervene in settler-colonial ideas about the environment and Native American people?

Gorham Silver: A Responsive Approach to Interpretation

Sustainability and the natural world The history of the Gorham Manufacturing Company is intertwined with that of Providence and Rhode Island. This uniquely local story has provided the opportunity for the RISD Museum to learn from the experiences of community members who have intersected with Gorham's legacy.

(Re)tracing the Silver Seaweed: A Maker's Process

Lillian Webster College How To Student Voices Studio Notes Sustainability and the natural world Artist This salad spoon and fork set, made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company ca. 1885, is named after the coastal town of Narragansett, Rhode Island. Replete with intricately detailed shells, seaweed, and sea creatures—including small fish and tiny crabs—these two sea-encrusted utensils were my point of inspiration for a set of five brooches. In the following article I will describe some of the basic processes used to create my Narragansett-inspired jewelry

The Care and Preservation of Art Composed of Plastic

Ingrid Neuman Conservation Sustainability and the natural world RISD Museum conservator Ingrid Neuman discusses the challenges in caring for objects made from this ubiquitous material

Tracing the Silver Seaweed

Isabella McCormick College Conservation Student Voices Sustainability and the natural world Isabella McCormick (Brown/RISD 2015) explores the intricacies of the Gorham Narragansett Salad Set and their reflections on Rhode Island culture, insights gained from her meticulous cleaning of the utensils as part of her Mellon Summer Internship in conservation.