Fun stuff at RISD shop - Art World - Rhode Island School of Design - Brief Article

Art in America, March, 2002 by Stephanie Cash, David Ebony

In an innovative approach to the traditional museum shop, the Rhode Island School of Design opened risd | works in downtown Providence, across from the school's campus, last October. The shop sells only works designed or created by RISD alumni and faculty; it currently offers products that have already been on the market, but it may eventually serve as a testing ground for new items.

A RISD spokesperson said that sales have been brisk; the store sold more in its first three months than it was expecting for its entire first year. Among the school's well-known graduates are artist Jenny Holzer, filmmaker Gus Van Sant, musicians Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth of the group Tom Tom Club, and clothing designer Nicole Miller. Modeled somewhat after SoHo's popular design emporium Moss, which presents objects in a museumlike display, the store offers toys, greeting cards, pens, clocks, music CDs, videos, furniture, lamps and even popular items like the Cuisinart food processor, which was redesigned in 1972. Products are also available through www.risdworks.com; the site provides a database of artists and designers affiliated with the school.