New home for 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument in Providence

The R.I. 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument organization partnered with the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority (RICCA) to announce the new home of the 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument.

This renowned art installation has found a new home and will be hosted by the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority along the colonnade between the entrance of the Dunkin Donuts Center and the entrance to the Rhode Island Convention Center, directly across the street from the Residence Inn on Sabin Street.

This work of community art was created 20 years ago by nearly 13,000 Rhode Islanders and is being restored and relocated for a new generation.  Visitors from across the world will soon be able to visit and experience this powerful exhibit at its new location.

Barbara Thornton of Brewster Thornton Group Architects is a founding board member of the 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument and was lead architect of the original installation in 2002. She is returning to direct the design and restoration of this moving tribute, “Installing the bright, inspiring 9-11 monument along this covered walkway will energize a sometimes quiet segment of a much-traversed part of Providence, drawing more people to visit this area” says Thornton.

Arthur Robbins, President of the Board of Directors, agrees: “Visitors will be captivated by the art installation as they wander along a 9-11 Memorial Promenade, filled with color and emotion.”

RICCA generously agreed to partner with the 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument and host the newly restored installation even as the COVID-19 crisis temporarily paused restoration activities. “RICCA’s Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to host the Wall of Hope prior to the onset of Covid. We are pleased to see this project come back to the forefront to honor those individuals and families impacted by the events of 9-11. The Convention Center complex provides an outstanding venue to properly exhibit this inspiring work of art. We look forward to joining forces with all those who have volunteered to bring the Wall of Hope back to its proper place in the heart of the City of Providence.” said Dan McConaghy, Executive Director of RICCA.

Junior Jabbie, one of the non-profit’s founding board members and the President & CEO of Banneker Supply Chain Solutions, also has a vested interest in seeing the 9-11 monument return to its former glory. In 2002, Banneker played a pivotal role by donating their warehousing and logistics services to stage and assemble the tiles prior to their final installation in Providence. “The Wall of Hope is an integral part of our legacy as a Rhode Island-based company, especially considering our initial involvement during the memorial’s creation,” says Jabbie. “Twenty years later the world as we know it is as different as it is the same…This monument can once again serve its original purpose as a soothing salve to help repair raw wounds.”

Gilbane Building Company was also central to the construction of the original installation back in 2002, and will once again be generously donating its services by relocating and installing the restored Wall of Hope at its new location. “As one of the original sponsors of the Wall of Hope, Gilbane is honored to contribute to the restoration and relocation efforts of this community-based remembrance honoring the victims of the 9-11 tragedy. We’re

grateful for our ongoing partnership with the 9-11 Wall of Hope Monument,” said Mike Busam, Gilbane’s Operations Manager. The City of Providence has supported the restoration and relocation planning for years. The Parks Department commissioned Jennifer Robinson two years ago to find a location for this remarkable installation so that it could become a permanent part of the fabric of downtown, and to create an organization that would steward it for years to come. “I look forward to the return of this vivid memorial, created by Rhode Islanders, to its new home in our city center in 2022,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “The Wall of Hope is a vibrant and purposeful piece of community art which will help us to remember those we lost and the bravery of our nation’s first responders.”

“Just as the original 9-11 Wall of Hope gave people the chance to join together to commemorate the power of love over hate, the new, reimagined site will bring all who see it a tremendous sense of hope and optimism,” says Jennifer Robinson, Executive Director.

9-11 Wall of Hope Monument

Monument organization was established in 2019 by Jennifer Robinson to coordinate the efforts to reimagine, restore, relocate, and safeguard the 9-11 Wall of Hope memorial artwork installation. The organization was founded along with the help of generous philanthropists and local business leaders.

Visit the website at www.riwallofhope.org and for more information, please contact Jennifer Robinson at 207-423-0871 or [email protected].