Public art creates a beautiful day in the neighborhood

August 13, 2022/Nancy Thomas

The Association for Public Art says, “Public Art is a reflection of how we see the world – the artist’s response to our time and place combined with our own sense of who we are.” There is something different about the public art at the corner of Daboll and Public Streets. While public art is everywhere in capital cities in America, often it is shocked with meaning, delivering bold messages on issues of the day. The mural created and led by Rene Gómez provides a platform to rest the eye, to reflect bold, beautiful colors, to set the table for something good to happen. It reflects, somewhat, the simple forms and colors of the art we did as children, bold, bright, and without walls. It’s simplicity is its grace.

On Friday August 12th the beautiful colorful street mural was “unveiled”. The space will be activated for community gatherings, musical and other small events for the area residents and businesses. The mural site will also serve as a pop-up event location where people can gather to experience performances and happenings, contributing to culturally relevant placemaking in South Providence.

At the event Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10); Councilwoman and Deputy Majority Leader, Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11); Marta V. Martinez, Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA); Liza Burkin, Organizer at Providence Streets Coalition; Helene Miller, Executive Director of Partnership for Providence Parks, the City of Providence’s Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT) Department, and members of Providence City Council, unveiled the brand-new ground mural by local artist Rene Gómez at the intersection of Daboll and Public Streets. The mural site will also serve as a pop-up event location where people can gather to experience performances and happenings, contributing to culturally relevant placemaking in South Providence.

“There are few better ways to bring people together than through public art,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “With this beautiful newly installed ground mural by local artist Rene Gómez, our recently completed Broad Street infrastructure improvements, and the Roger Williams Park Gateway set to open this fall, South Providence is receiving the support and attention it deserves as one of our City’s most vibrant and culturally rich communities.”

The unveiling comes less than a year after the City received a $25,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative. Providence was one of 26 cities to receive this grant for projects that use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public spaces, and engage residents of their communities. Bloomberg Philanthropies invited all U.S. cities to apply for the Asphalt Art Initiative in March of 2021.

“I am proud to see this beautiful new ground mural unveiled in our community today,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10). “The work Rene Gómez has done is a shining example of what can happen when we uplift local artists to create culturally relevant artwork for the communities that they are a part of. I thank Gomez for this wonderful piece of public art, which has added to our continued efforts to elevate and improve the cultural hub that is South Providence.”

Following a two-tier public call for design submissions, local artist Rene Gómez was chosen to create the ground mural by the City’s Art in City Life Commission (ACL) and an arts selection panel. A Dominican-born, multi-disciplinary pop artist, Rene Gómez moved to Providence with his family at age four. In 2015, Gómez made his first of many contributions to the Dominican Parade with his Tribute to Las Hermanas Mirabal, designing 30 original folkloric butterfly costumes for young girls representing the Hispanic United Development Organization. That year, he also completed his first solo mural project inside South Providence’s La Broa’ Pizza. Other public works include a contribution to curator Shey Rivera’s “Mi Gente Siempre Responde” banner project; electrical box murals commissioned by The Avenue Concept, Rhode Island Latino Arts, and the City of Providence; and an interior mural at El Ninja Express Boba Tea Restaurant on Broad Street.

“Rene Gómez grew up in South Providence, and still lives there. He has experienced the transformation of Broad Street in many ways,” said Marta V. Martinez, Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA). “I’m pleased that RILA can contribute in this way, and we expect to bring more art through bilingual performances, storytelling, and more.”

“There is a vast excess of pavement throughout our City that contributes to higher speed traffic, urban heat islands, and flooding issues,” said Liza Burkin, Organizer at the Providence Streets Coalition. “Any time we can reclaim some asphalt for public art, green infrastructure, or friendly pedestrian space, it’s a huge win for our neighborhoods and our environment. I am so excited to see how this place will bloom and change now that Southside artist Rene Gómez has covered it with culture and care.“

This public art installation was born out of true community collaboration through partnerships between the City of Providence and Rhode Island Latino Arts, Providence Streets Coalition, and Partnership for Providence Parks.

For more information on public art in Providence, please visit the ACT website.

Before: