DIVINE PROVIDENCE, an exhibition by Umberto Crenca

DIVINE PROVIDENCE, is a salon-style month-long exhibition by Umberto “Bert” Crenca on view from Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, November 12, 2023 at the gallery of the WaterFire Arts Center. Visitors are invited to an opening reception on Thursday, October 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. featuring a short documentary by Ashly Lemus and Chloe Rourke.

Crenca’s paintings offer a genuine, loving yet unsentimental perspective of urban Providence. His art portrays the lesser-explored aspects of the city, from its corners and crevices to the in-between spaces. Each piece celebrates the beauty found in everyday life and captures the essence of the city’s neighborhoods from the perspective of a longtime resident. Although each individual DIVINE PROVIDENCE painting can captivate with its unique details and character, the series, consisting of over 250 pieces, is best seen as a cohesive installation.

This exhibition is a significant event, marking the first time since the series began in early 2020 that a substantial portion of the entire series will be displayed together in a single space. DIVINE PROVIDENCE will be on view during WaterFire’s 7th Annual FireBall Gala, happening on Thursday, October 19, 2023 where Umberto Crenca will be receiving a WaterFire Impact Award for his Creative Impact on the City of Providence and all of Rhode Island.

Umberto Crenca is a visual and performance artist whose work has appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions and performances. His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the RISD Museum and the Newport Art Museum as well as in private collections in the US and abroad. He lives and maintains a studio in Providence, RI with his wife, artist and musician Susan Clausen.

The exhibition is made possible by the support of BankNewport and Joseph A. Chazan, M.D.

On Sunday, October 29, Umberto Crenca and The Gillen Street Ensemble will be performing, People of Earth, in the Wilbury Theatre Group’s performance space at the WaterFire Arts Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. The musical improvisation collective is composed of nine members including Crenca, Susan Clausen, Christopher Anderson, Alan Greco, Alice Jackson, Armando Crenca, Cliff Wood, Mitch Mackenzie, and Heather Ahern. Guests can anticipate a combination of music, spoken word, movement, and video projections. More information and tickets available at thewilburygroup.org.

The exhibition’s programming will conclude on Wednesday, November 8 with a moderated conversation with Umberto Crenca happening at 6:00 p.m. in the gallery of the WaterFire Arts Center.

The WaterFire Arts Center store + gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.