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.
Episode
Posted inEpisode, Possibly Podcast
Should I take an e-scooter or an Uber?
The other day our reporter Iman Khanbhai was heading to the mall to buy some jeans and I wondered- what would create more emissions- taking an electric scooter or getting an Uber? So, she and reporter Malia Honda decided to look into it.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ roundup on Rhode Island politics for July 21, 2023
Give it up for the great Tony Bennett, who has left us at age 96. You can follow me through the week on the twitters and threads. Here we go. STORY OF THE WEEK: With a bit more than six weeks until the Sept. 5 primary in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, the race took […]
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Offshore wind, housing insecurity in Newport, homelessness solutions in Woonsocket, and more
Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from Health Reporter Lynn Arditi, about Woonsocket’s latest effort to address homelessness in the city. Plus, Artscape Producer James Baumgartner looks at an immersive new exhibit at the Providence College Galleries, and offers a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Shekarchi on Cranston Street Armory, Matos’ signature controversy, and firefighter-hypertension bill
The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the most recent state budget in just about three hours last month. That rapid pace reflects strong support in the chamber for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. But will Skekarchi’s popularity translate into progress on Rhode Island’s toughest issues, including improving public schools and creating a stronger economy? And what does Mr. Speaker have to say about the paralysis gripping attempts to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory, and the signature-gathering controversy dogging Sabina Matos’ congressional campaign?
Posted inArtscape, Episode
‘On the Wall’: A gallery for contemplation and reflection at Providence College
Edie Fake was first known for his work in comics and zines. Then in the mid-aughts he started creating architectural drawings of real and imagined LGBTQ spaces in Chicago featuring bright colors, crisp lines and geometric designs. Now you can see Fake’s “On The Wall,” an all-encompassing room at Providence College. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with the exhibit’s curator, Jamilee Lacy.
Posted inEpisode, Possibly Podcast
What’s the big deal about the high seas?
Ever wanted to be a pirate and sail the high seas? Well, you can, but it’s about to get a little harder. Here to tell us more are Anna Amha and Riley Stevenson from our Possibly Team.
Posted inEpisode, Local, Newport Bureau
Priced out of Newport, Jeffrey Marcus calls his SUV his home
Newport is one of the few communities in Rhode Island that exceeds the state’s mandate for affordable housing. Yet, local officials say Newport has a housing crisis and risks losing its diverse community, as tourists, part-time residents and investors drive up rents and home prices. It’s becoming more common for local residents to fall on hard times and more difficult for them to get back on track to find stable housing. In part five of our series “Falling Short: In search of affordable housing,” we hear the story of a man who’s struggled to make the city by the sea his home and is currently living in his car.
Posted inEpisode, On Sports
Farewell to Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds
For 40 years he entertained readers with his insightful stories and columns.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Beach pollution, Providence’s hurricane barrier, contemporary art, and more
How safe are our beaches? According to a new report from Environment America, about half the beaches in the country were potentially unsafe for swimming in 2022. We talk with John Rumpler, a co-author of the report. And after a week of heavy rain and flooding, we hear from our Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz about Providence’s new plan to upgrade the city’s hurricane barrier. Also, Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal gives us some highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics and more. Plus, a few tips on what to do this week, and a conversation with some of the artists and curators of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art.
