When I was invited to attended “The Artists’ Loop,” a program for artists and art enthusiasts, with the world- renowned interior designer Morris Nathanson at The Pawtucket Library, I was expecting a formal lecture about the creative process he and his design teams have used to create such high visibility venues as France’s Disney World, The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships, and nu- merous restaurants here and abroad.
But when I entered the conference room at the Pawtucket Library this night, there was no lectern, no “speaker’s platform.” All I saw was a group of people gathered around a table talking casually. Morris Nathanson, with his distinguished swirl of gray hair and his trademark bow tie was one of them, talking and “listening.”
As I sat down to join the group, Nathanson was say- ing he was glad this was such a nice, informal meeting because after over 50 years as an award-winning Inte- rior Designer, and an avid advocate for his home town Pawtucket’s Arts Community, he is returning to one of his early creative interests: Print Making.
On display around the room were several of Nathan- son’s current black and white prints. In addition to master craftsmanship, each one conveyed a feeling of “certainty” that said the artist is working in his comfort zone. Lines, patterns and textures in black and white draw you into small land-and seascapes, while other more fanciful im- ages might well have been created for a children’s book or perhaps an historic novel cover.
As part of the evening’s conversation, Nathanson talked in detail with the other artists about the various ancient Print Making techniques that he still finds most stimulat- ing and satisfying. He explained how he loves the re- sponsive softness of linoleum blocks, as well as the less “forgiving,” more precise surface of wood blocks. “Each
surface presents its’ own qualities and parameters,” he said. He’s tried multi-color printing but found it was “a little too fussy,” and diminished the spontaneity of the simpler process that he really loves.
Nathanson also shared his concern that these days, hand-made prints are being “mass produced” and sold on-line for not much money over the Internet. He finds that in direct contradiction to the one-of-a-kind “personal- ity” of the single, hand-made print he continues to be so attracted to.
Along with his work as a designer and print-maker, Nathanson has has for over 40 years now been at the forefront of “Adaptive Reuse” in Pawtucket, the town where he grew up. In the 1970’s, he bought the civil war era firehouse on the corner of North Main and Doyle Ave. in Providence and rebuilt half of it brick by brick, and then put his firm on the second floor.
His efforts have been responsible for developing the Arts community by reviving the numerous old mill buildings and converting them into artist space. His own studio was formerly a decaying old cardboard manufacturing complex that Nathanson has transformed into a bright, spacious venue, ideal for creative projects.
On October 9, 2014, The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities has honored Morris Nathanson with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates Morris Nathanson for his deep engagement and commitment to the arts, culture and historic preservation in his hometown of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Photography by RICM Staff Vol. 3 Issue 2 | 13
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