Design Week RI 2025
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is thrilled to have many of our alumni and faculty taking part in this year's DESIGN WEEK RI, presented by DESIGNxRI.
Events
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
1–5 pm
Open Studio: DESIGN UNDER SKY
featuring RISD faculty member Adam E. Anderson MLA 12
95 Clemence Street, Providence
5–8 pm
Kickoff Part at Moniker Brewery
432 W Fountain Street, Providence
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
1–4 pm
Youth City Workshop: Designing the Future of Our Communities
Lily Manycolors MA 22 GAC and TLAD Lecturer
Sophia Francesco BArch 25
AUNTY’S HOUSE STUDIO
25 Acorn St Building 35, Providence
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
1–3 pm
Illuminating Design: A Hands-On Journey with Lumetta Lighting Design & Manufacturing
Lynn Rakowsky, RISD Faculty
Step behind the scenes and immerse yourself in the art and science of premium luminaire design and manufacturing with Lumetta.
Lumetta
33 Minnesota Avenue, Warwick
6:30–8 pm
Bottom Line by Design: A bold discussion on design’s role in business performance
Justin Sirotin, Senior Critic
A thought-provoking discussion on design’s role in business performance.Industrial Spirits Co.
1 Sims Ave, Providence
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
12:30–1 pm
Exploring the Exhibition of Bobby Anspach: Everything is Change
Bobby Anspach MFA 17 SC
Take a guided tour of the Newport Art Museum with the museum team, exploring Bobby Anspach: Everything is Change alongside summer exhibitions Through a Collector’s Lens: Iconic Photography from the Christopher Hyland Collection and Howard Gardiner Cushing: A Harmony of Line and Color. Anspach’s inventive sculptural installations blend everyday objects with high craft to create immersive, otherworldly experiences that invite viewers to reflect on beauty, interconnectedness, and the natural world.
76 Bellevue Ave, Newport
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
12–1 pm
RISD Museum Exhibition Design Tour
Derek Schusterbauer, Lead in-house graphic design team
Stephen Wing, Manager of Preparation & Installation
Jeremy Radtke, Director of Digital Initiative
RISD Museum digital content creators, graphic designers, and installers discuss their
collaborative process in producing the immersive exhibition Liz Collins: Motherlode, which
features sculptural work, fashion, needlework, drawings, performance documentation, and
ephemera. Focusing on graphics, layout, and interpretive elements, they share how
cross-departmental design decisions shape visitor engagement, accessibility, and the
presentation of multiple perspectives.
20 North Main St
Providence
4–7:30 pm
Navigating Turbulence: the Role of Creatives(ity) in Uncertain Times
Rene Payne 83 GD, Emmett Till Memory Project, Critic, Graphic Design
Shey ‘Ri Acu’ Rivera Ríos MA 23 GAC, Artist, Providence Commemoration Lab
A panel discussion moderated by RISD Provost Touba Ghadessi and Margot Nishumura, Assistant Provost for Academic Engagement, around “Navigating Turbulence: the role of creatives(ity) in uncertain times” will bring together a diverse group of panelists using public art, research, and history to reimagine the meaning of monuments against the backdrop of today’s societal challenges and political landscape.
RISD Museum Auditorium, 20 N Main St, Providence
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
10–11 am
Slither in to the snake den: A behind the scenes tour of the Pretty Snake store and brand
Joseph Segal 09 TX, Critic, Textiles
Slither in to the snake den: A behind the scenes tour of the Pretty Snake store and brand
Hosted in the Pretty Snake brick-and-mortar, celebrating their 1-year anniversary, learn about
the design process and creation of the unique store and brand.
Pretty Snake, 142 Brook St, Providence
4–6 pm
Design Sprint Showdown
Adrienne Gagnon, MA 08 AE
Rhode Island’s creative firms will showcase their innovative ingenuity. Teams of up to four designers will compete in an exciting design challenge through rapid ideation and prototyping.
DownCity Design, 370 Cranston St, Providence
5:30-7:30 pm
RIMiAD Minority Meet-Up
Sponsored by Rhode Island Minorities in Architecture and Design (RIMiAD)
Mt. Fuji Japanese Steakhouse, 80 Dean St, Providence
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
5:30–8 pm
The Closing Party: Anyhow Studio’s MOST EXCELLENT POTTERY THROWDOWN!
Reconnect with all your favorite DESIGN WEEK RI pals, and watch Rhode Island’s boldest ceramicists throw down for the crown!
195 District Park, Providence
Open Studios
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Saturday Open Studios in Northern Rhode Island
10 am–2 pm
The Waterfire Accelerate Cohort
Elizabeth Jweinat 23 SC/MA 24 AE (Lizzy Sour)
Dorian Epps 21 ID, RISD Assistant Director of Athletics
Graduate Hotel
11 Dorrance St, Providence
Matthew Muller 14 FD
Pneuhaus
310 Bourne Ave, Suite 4, Rumford
10 am–9 pm
Steve Totin, CE Instructor
Boyd Studios
45 Rathbone St, Providence
2–6 pm
Raynold Jacques Bidon, TLAD Faculty
Bidon Community Print Studio
3 Acorn Street, Providence
Mathias Pliessnig 03 FD
999 Main St, Unit 709, Pawtucket
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Sunday Open Studios in Southern Rhode Island
10 am–6 pm
Ethan French MArch 11
95 Cottrell Rd, Saunderstown
Meg Little MAE 84
260 Turner Rd, Middletown
Deborah Baronas 79 TX
30 Cutler Street, Suite 103, Warren
