Saturday, September 18, 2010

Providence RI Loves Art

Dear Topos, Sep 18
Upon arrival in Providence RI we walked off the train and right into the midst of the “fire water walk” – a Providence community event where every Saturday night they burn small fires in the river and crowds gather. Art for art sack. There are some who jump on this as a marketing spot – selling glow sticks or boat rides. And the event itself has been patented by the artist who started it so no other city can do it just like Providence. None of this makes it less art. It is a beautiful sight – fire in water – and this city lets it be just that. Providence has an appreciation for art unlike any city I know. The coffee shops not only have good art on the walls, they are designed well with color, tables, chairs, and mugs. The posters and flyers here are pieces of art themselves (people even buy them of claim them from post boards). The city is filled with local art – galleries, craft stores, print shops, side walks. The book stores have more art books than word books. The zines are all gorgeous. It is worth it. Art is valuable. It takes time and money. Spend it.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I didn't know any city in the US had such a value the visual arts. I wonder how this developed? Montrose has it's growing number of statues downtown (including a new piece by Jerry Dunbar). But Providence sounds like a whole new world. Would you enjoy living in such a community?
How do you get fire on water? When I worked at summer camps we floated rafts filled with sand candles on the lake at night. It was a lovely sight. M.E.