The South County Museum Board of Trustees announces the appointment of Rebecca J. Kelly as the new Executive Director and Curator of Collections.
Historian, museum professional, university lecturer, and artisan, Ms. Kelly consulted with the South County Museum (SCM) last season on curatorial projects as well as the expansion of the museum’s School of Craft.
Board President Lynn Wagner states, “During her time on the South County Museum campus, Rebecca shared an inspired curatorial vision and demonstrated an ability to drive the museum and its programming in dynamic directions. With her fresh and energizing ideas, Rebecca brings the collections and our school’s craft practices together in new ways. We welcome Rebecca’s unique, well-rounded, and learned perspective to the museum.”
Over many years of university instruction, Ms. Kelly has focused on courses related to textile history and conservation, as well as the theory and practice of museum exhibitions. Ms. Kelly is also a researcher of 19th and 20th century textiles and trade; the birth of American fashion; under-recognized women fashion and textile designers; and the history of home-sewing, embroidery and lacemaking.
As an artisan, Rebecca studies the history and psychology of color, as well as the meaning and symbolism of plants and flowers. She plans to lead natural dye classes and hand-sewing workshops in the SCM’s School of Craft Fiber Shed.
An Aquidneck Island native, Rebecca began her museum career at The Preservation Society of Newport County. A University of Rhode Island graduate with a BA in Art History and a master’s degree in Textile History and Conservation, Rebecca spent twelve years in New York City at the Fashion Institute of Technology as both museum staff and teaching faculty.
Upon her return to RI, Rebecca guest curated the Newport Historical Society exhibition ”The World in Motion: Fashion and Modernity 1885 – 1945” and its companion exhibition ”Women Take the Wheel: Fashion, Modernity and the Automobile 1905 – 1945” at the Audrain Automobile Museum.
Ms. Kelly offers, “I am thrilled to have found my way to this unique and captivating museum. I am excited to guide the museum on its mission to preserve and interpret its collections, foster new community partnerships, and grow our workshops and programming. We want to bring together and support artisans at every stage and age.”
“Additional plans include an exploration of the SCM’s collections and dresses in relation to Narragansett’s place as a Gilded Age fashionable resort city. And I very much look forward to our first community event of the season, Night at the Museum on Friday, May 17! It’s a 90th birthday party for the museum; the community is invited to come enjoy the festivities and check out the new exhibits and demonstrations in the ed (education) sheds.”
Night at the Museum is a family-friendly, free-admission event to open the season, gather community, and introduce new classes, workshops and events. Highlights include live music by the South County Jammers; exhibits; crafts; games; light food and soft drinks with a tasting bar featuring Gooseneck Vineyards and Whalers. Artisans will demonstrate blacksmithing, fiber arts, woodworking, and printing. Raffle prizes include workshop classes, handcrafted artisanal pieces, private tours, and a Declaration of Independence which was recreated in the museum’s print shop.
At a Glance
WHAT: South County Museum’s Night at the Museum
WHEN: May 17, 6-8pm
WHERE: South County Museum, 115 Strathmore St., Narragansett
ADMISSION: Free
INFO: www.southcountymuseum.org
About South County Museum
For over 90 years, the South County Museum in Narragansett RI has endeavored to preserve and interpret southern Rhode Island’s coastal and rural culture for education and inspiration. The museum’s eight acre campus (nestled within the extensive 174-acre Canonchet Farm Park) includes historic structures, educational buildings, and a small working farm. The exhibition halls encourage visitors to view the extensive collection at a self-guided pace. Through the 20,000+ objects that include antique tools, toys, fashion and furnishings the museum tells the diverse stories that have shaped South County. A series of four purpose-built barns serve as educational School of Craft spaces. A blacksmith forge, woodworking barn, fiber shed, and print shop allow visitors to watch artisans at work as well as participate in workshops. The farm includes sheep, goats, turkey, and two flocks of heritage Rhode Island Reds. A chick hatch is celebrated each 4th of July, and a sheep shearing provides fleece for spinning and dyeing demonstrations.
The South County Museum has been featured on PBS’s Treasures Inside the Museum and The Independent. Information on hours, events, lectures and workshops can be found at www.southcountymuseum.org and on facebook and instagram @Southcountymuseum.
South County Museum illustrates our past. Gives meaning to our present. Illuminates our path to the future.