PORTALES: Reimagining the Future

PORTALES: Reimagining the Future is an art exhibit presenting the variety of ways that artists and organizers in Rhode Island have strengthened our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement against racial injustice. In moments of difficulty, we can see how art can turn into ‘community portals’ that help us envision better futures. The exhibit is a sample of artistic works by RI-based artists who work in various mediums -photography, mixed media, painting, dance, video- and who have a practice of community organizing and/or are in relationship to grassroots community groups that center justice, equity, and access. The exhibit is part of a broader research project on public health, policy, organizing, and the power of art and culture, led by faculty and artists from Providence College. In the spirit of this, the exhibit will be accompanied by a story circle event. Reference: Arundhati Roy: The Pandemic is a Portal

The exhibition is on view in the WaterFire Arts Center gallery from Thursday, September 1 through Sunday, October 9, 2022 with an Opening Reception on Thursday, September 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In addition to the opening event, visitors are invited to participate in the story circle event and Gallery Night Providence. A Dance Performance and Story Circle event will take place on Thursday, October 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Gallery Night is an evening of gallery tours throughout Providence on the third Thursday of the month, this month’s date is September 15th. The gallery is open until 9:00 p.m., visit gallerynight.org for details and times on trolley tours.

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.*

Artists:  
anjelllblack
Eric Sung 
Janaya Kizzie 
Jordan Seaberry  
Justin Case  
Shey Rivera Ríos
Sokeo Ros
V. A. T. K.

Curators: Shey Rivera Ríos and Anabel Vázquez Rodríguez
Project Director: Eric Sung
Project Team: Tuba I. Agartan, Nicholas V. Longo, Nayely Furcal Marte
Designer: Veronica Borsani  |  Video Documentation: Oliver Sydesho Arias

Partners: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) | Providence College | Studio Loba | RI Council on the Humanities | WaterFire Arts Center | RI State Council on the Arts | Blue Cross & Blue Shield RI

*Visit the waterfire.org/calendar for event listings at the venue as the store + gallery hours may vary on certain days.