Meet Jay Critchley

AS220's newest Artist-in-Residence presents himself, his work and his current project, "Providence Dirt," with a public reception at AS220
Tuesday, January 16 at 7pm

Reception will launch "Providence Dirt," a video/photo exploration of Providence's underground sites and subcultures to be inaugurated during Critchley's residency. Community participation is wanted; writers, actors, technicians, videographers and filmmakers, and designers and others are urged to attend!

Jay Critchley as Miss Tampon Liberty protesting the activation of 9.5-mile Boston sewage outfall pipe into Massachusetts Bay. Race Point, Provincetown, September, 2000 High resolution scan of this photo online at www.as220.org/ images/ promo/ critchley.jpg

Critchley is a visual, performance and conceptual artist and writer who uses a fine-tuned wit and irreverence to tackle a wide range of social issues. His work has been viewed and disseminated worldwide and taken the form of the patriotic Old Glory Condom Corporation, and "Miss Tampon Liberty," a replica of the Statue of Liberty constructed out of plastic tampon applicators that washed up on East Coast beaches. Recently he created "Theater In The Ground@Septic Space," a performance site in his abandoned, backyard septic tank in Provincetown, Massachusetts. His solutions to cultural and political challenges can be controversial and hilarious, but he never fails to make his message clear.

During his stay at AS220, Critchley will be creating "Providence Dirt," an exploration of the underground and underbelly of the city, both the subcultures and the sites. Documentation and videos will be written, developed and produced with a group of interested artists into 3-5 minute "newsreals" of found and fabricated footage in 1930s/40s newsreel style, each of which may address local or national issues, or may be simply human and humorous.

The form and content of "Providence Dirt" will be shaped and directed by the people and places Critchley encounters during his time in Providence, so anyone interested in the piece, or knows of secret subterranean sites, are encouraged to stop by the reception and meet him.

AS220's Artist-in-Residence program brings mid-career artists to live at AS220 for three-month periods. This program is funded in part by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund.

AS220 is non-profit center for the arts in downtown Providence. Since 1985, AS220 has provided unqualified support for all members of the Rhode Island artist community. During a typical week, AS220 provides a venue for at least 4 visual artists and 25 performers, a home for 11 low-income artists, work studios for 9 artists and a gathering place for over 200 art lovers, as well as access to equipment for photographers, screenprinters and computer users.

AS220's core belief is that every artist should have the chance to get their work in front of an audience. AS220's stage and galleries are available to any Rhode Island artist who has work to present.

AS220 was one of the first places offering housing for artists in downtown Providence. Since 1994, 11 artists have been living in studios on AS220's third floor.

For more information, or to book an press nterview with Jay Critchley, contact Geoff Griffin at AS220, 831-9327 or geoff@as220.org.

A print-quality color JPEG is available for download at www.as220.org/images/promo/critchley.jpg