Underage and Unprotected: How a migrant teen tried to juggle going to high school and working overnights at a seafood processor.
In The Spotlight
Posted inArticle, Business, Labor
Underage and Unprotected: Migrant teens worked in risky jobs in New Bedford seafood processing plants
The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating possible violations of child labor, overtime pay, and anti-retaliation laws at two processors and one Rhode Island-based staffing agency
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Taposh shares his love of Bengali music with the world
For Artscape this week, producer James Baumgartner spoke with local singer and harmonium player Mohitosh Talukder Taposh.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Edward Bannister, 19th-century Black artist, honored with new statue in Providence
A new bronze statue will be unveiled this weekend honoring Edward M. Bannister, an African-American artist who lived in Providence in the late 19th century and was one of the founders of the Providence Art Club. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with members of the Bannister Community Art Project, who helped make the statue a reality.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Tuba Skinny brings New Orleans jazz to Rhythm & Roots Festival
Charlestown, Rhode Island is hosting the Rhythm and Roots Festival this weekend, with more than 20 acts across three days of music. The lineup includes Trombone Shorty, Greensky Bluegrass, the Revelers, and Tuba Skinny from New Orleans, who play music inspired by early jazz and blues of the 1920s and 30s. Artscape producer James Baumgartner and editor Mareva Lindo talked with Erika Lewis, who plays bass drum and sings for Tuba Skinny.
Posted inArtscape, Episode, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford says goodbye to a downtown eccentric
Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who kept a literary spirit alive in a tough New England seaport, died this January at 70 years old after a brief illness. Cohen was the focus of what turned out to be the last show UMass Dartmouth exhibited at its gallery in downtown New Bedford before the university abruptly closes its campus there at the end of the month. For this week’s Artscape, South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke interviewed more than a dozen people who knew Cohen. The result is a collection of stories, memories and impressions that form another lasting portrait of Cohen.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Why is UMass-Dartmouth leaving the Star Store and how will that affect New Bedford?
UMass-Dartmouth will be closing its arts school at the Star Store in downtown New Bedford, and relocating all classes and studios to the state university’s main campus in Dartmouth. The school’s chancellor, Mark Fuller, announced the closure in an email to faculty on Monday, less than two weeks before the start of the school year.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Artist explores ‘intimate bond of freedom and green’ at Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
A new art exhibit at Brown University’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice explores a landscape of spiritual and physical freedom through the lens of history.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
You can ‘Hear the Mermaids Singing’ at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival this weekend
The Kingston Chamber Music Festival marks its 35th season this year with seven concerts of music from across the centuries. The final three concerts are this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with composer Tina Davidson, whose work “I Hear the Mermaids Singing” will be featured on Sunday.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Empty downtown facade becomes mural dedicated to summertime in Providence
Originally built in 1929, the Providence National Bank Building was demolished in 2005 to make way for a residential tower that was never built. All that’s left now is an empty facade – one brick wall on Weybosset Street propped up by steel struts. Instead of windows, the facade has five panels that feature a new mural every year. This year’s mural, “Parade” was painted by Michelle Perez. It features giant bright orange koi fish, held aloft by people riding bicycles and skateboards on a cool blue background. For Artscape this week, we hear from Michelle as she’s putting the finishing touches on her painting. She says she was inspired by summertime in Providence.
