Artist and illustrator Eric Telfort is the subject of a solo exhibition titled *Child's Play*, on view through June 28 at AS220 in Providence, Rhode Island. The show features paintings that draw on Telfort's childhood memories, his upbringing in Little Haiti, Miami, and his experiences in a conservative Catholic household. Telfort, a classically trained artist who earned his BFA in Illustration at RISD and his MFA at the New York Academy of Art, combines smooth, academic technique with inventive, narrative-driven imagery. The exhibition also includes photographs by his cousin Greg Almonord.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the work of a significant contemporary realist painter who is also an influential educator—Telfort served as Department Head of Illustration at RISD and helped launch its MFA program. His ability to weave personal history, social commentary, and technical mastery into accessible yet layered compositions offers a model for how artists can engage with identity and memory without relying on overt activism. The show also underscores the role of community spaces like AS220 in showcasing regional talent and fostering dialogue between artists and audiences.