Join us as we celebrate the success of the Invincible Audubon endowment campaign. We will present the annual awards for Educator and Volunteer of the Year, as well as Legislative Achievement. New members for the 2019-2020 Board of Directors will be selected.

Enjoy complimentary wine and cheese on Rosecliff's beautiful patio overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, along with an exclusive tour of the "John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed" exhibit, guided by curator and keynote speaker Ashley Householder.

Keynote Speaker: Ashley Householder

Associate Curator for Exhibitions, Preservation Society of Newport County

Householder is the curator of the current exhibit "John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed" on display at Rosecliff. Read her bio below!

Guided Exhibit Tour: "John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed"

Join us after the meeting for a tour of the "John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed" exhibit, guided by curator and keynote speaker Ashley Householder.

Register in advance! Tickets are free but registration is requested.

About the exhibit - John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed

John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed colorfully explores the naturalist’s relentless pursuit of the birds of America and his singular determination in seeing his beautiful artworks published. In 1820 John James Audubon embarked on what would become his life’s work as portraitist of all the birds of America.” Hear how this witness to America’s Heroic Age translated his obsession into a highly successful business venture that resulted in arguably the most enduring images associated with the modern conservation movement.

Biography: Ashley Householder

Ashley Householder is Curator of Exhibitions for The Preservation Society of Newport County and as such is responsible for developing and producing in-house, borrowed and travelling exhibitions which are displayed in the Galleries at Rosecliff. Her current exhibition John James Audubon: Obsession Untamed colorfully explores the naturalist’s relentless pursuit of the birds of America and his singular determination in seeing his magnificent artworks published. Highlights include over 20 beautifully framed hand colored double elephant folio-sized aquatints from his groundbreaking publication as well as exquisite ladies hats and fans illustrating the early-20th century craze for feathers that lead to initial conservation efforts.

Ashley holds an MA in the History of Decorative Arts from Parsons The New School for Design and has worked in exhibitions, collections and programs at The National Building Museum, The White House, Decatur House Museum and The Smithsonian Institution, all in Washington, DC. Prior to moving to Rhode Island, Ashley lived in New York City and worked in arts publishing, serving as buyer for Rizzoli Bookstore.

The PSNC’s properties include 11 historic houses, seven of them National Historic Landmarks, which range from the mid-18th to the early 20th centuries. With a collection of 55,000 objects comprised of fine and decorative arts, photographs, prints and drawings displayed within landmark period houses, the Preservation Society gives more than one million tours annually, making it one of the largest cultural organizations in New England.

Event space has been donated to Audubon Society of Rhode Island by an anonymous donor. Thank you!