"It's a critical part of our DNA," says Andrea Rounds, the new Executive Director of the Bristol Art Museum. "Bristol families started it, and they are the ones who will keep it going."

It's true, the Bristol Art Museum is not new to town. Even by Bristol's standards, it's been around for a while. Since 1963, in fact. And until the recent hiring of Rounds on a part-time basis, BAM has been run by volunteers for every bit of those 50-plus years, in borrowed space on the Linden Place property.

Founded by residents Jill Pardee, Margaret Nerone, and Marie Perry, BAM was offered use of the ballroom of Linden place by then-owner Ethel Colt Miglietta. Artists such as Frank Benson, George DeForest Brush, Robert Motherwell, Maxfield Parrish, Richard Grosvenor, and Norman Rockwell have exhibited over the years.

Rounds, a Massachusetts native with a background in arts management, is joined by Jane Lavender as board chairman. Lavender, also a Massachusetts native, is a retired social worker and an accomplished artist in her own right. "Jane has made an enormous impact on how we look at ourselves as a community institution," says Rounds.

With a long-tern lease and a major renovation of the Linden Place barn, BAM has a new, forever home at 10 Wardwell Street. "What a permanent home does is it allows us to realize our vision," says Rounds. "We now have the space and flexibility to offer high-quality programming and really engage with the community."

Community outreach is key for Lavender, who is passionate about dispelling the notion that art museums are "a little elitist." Bringing in everyone from seniors to school groups is central to BAM's mission moving forward. "Any group that wants to become a part of this is more than welcome. Museums cannot be just pictures in frames anymore."

Accordingly, they are offering an ongoing speaker series, bringing in experts and curators from other institutions, and offering trips (in collaboration with Linden Place) to museums including the Boston MFA, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden.

They are also offering classes and workshops in media including watercolor, oil, acrylic, photography, drawing, ceramics, jewelry, and crafts.

Rounds and Lavender are excited to work together, and they are determined to do it right, from handling of artworks and curation to creating training manuals. They are also grateful for their curator Mary Dondero, whom Art New England Magazine called one of "Rhode Island's most noteworthy artists."

"We are aspiring to a higher level of operation," says Lavender. And why not?

"How many small towns have their own art museums?"


Currently at BAM: Three Solo Exhibits, through Oct. 30; featuring The Catacombs - Thomas Lyon Mills, Livingston Gallery; Mythical Beings - Ellen Blomgren, Brick Gallery; and Intertwined: Needle Art Of Salley Mavor, Low Gallery.

Crystal Clear will open with an artist reception Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and run through Dec. 18. Jenine Bressner - Jewelry; Richard Harrington - Painting; Kendell Reiss - Installation; Stephen Remick - Painting; Eleanor Sabin – Sculpture.

The museum is open to the general public when exhibits are on display.

Gallery Hours: Thursdays through Sundays | 1:00pm to 4:00pm, except
openings start with an artist reception at 6:30pm on the
first Friday of the exhibit
Admission: $2 per person | free to members and children under 12
Donations gratefully accepted.

For more information visit bristolartmuseum.org or call 401/253-4400.