Studio Blue is a dynamic multimedia learning commons located on the Narragansett Bay Campus, dedicated to coastal and ocean-themed art and science. Here, artists and students showcase their work, creating a unique environment where the fusion of art and science deepens emotional engagement and enhances holistic learning. The visual richness of the space enhances the experience of hundreds of visiting guests year-round.
The Studio is located in the Coastal Institute Building and coordinated by a committee of volunteers representing ocean and coastal educational groups at the University of Rhode Island, including
- URI Coastal Institute: Amber Neville, Jackie Witterschein
- URI Graduate School of Oceanography: Peter Hanlon
- URI Department of Ocean Engineering: Jason Noel
- URI Coastal Institute: Sarah Gaines
- URI Inner Space Center: Alex DeCiccio, Patrick Flanagan
- Rhode Island Sea Grant: Monica Allard-Cox
- URI Office of Small Projects: Jenny Baccari
- URI Creative Services: Susan Sancomb
These volunteers ensure the continued success and vibrancy of Studio Blue.
Upcoming Studio Blue Exhibit
Art League RI and the University of Rhode Island are featuring the collaborative works of artists and scientists in a new exhibition titled “Environmental Currents: Art and Science Explore our Changing World” from Sept. 10 through Dec. 18, 2026.
With its goal to communicate oceanographic research to wider audiences through art exhibits and events, The Synergy Project has paired artists across many mediums with scientists since 2020. This fourth Synergy Project group exhibition features new artwork interpreting scientific research conducted at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography and College of the Environment and Life Sciences, as well as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Past Studio Blue Exhibits
The Little Things
A collection of scientific images compares morphologies in nature across scales, curated by GSO student Alyssa Tsukada.
.
Microscopic wonders
Bay Campus Art Exhibition 2025
Featuring artistry from students, faculty, staff and alumni from the URI Narragansett Bay Campus.
Campus Talent
The Synergy Project
The Synergy Project: A Collaboration of Art and Science,” ran from August 2024 through March 2025 at Studio Blue.
Art League RI artists partnered with scientists from GSO and WHOI to communicate oceanographic research in engaging and unconventional ways, across many mediums.