URI Feinstein College of Continuing Education
to present: Faces of Hunger

Providence, R.I. -- March 23, 2000 -- Having a lean and hungry look may work well for Shakespearean actors, but for all too many people hunger is no act.

Ten Rhode Island artists will bring that poignant message to the public when a new exhibit called "Faces of Hunger and the Urban Landscape" opens at URI's Feinstein College of Continuing Education in Providence on April 5 with a reception planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show runs to April 22.

URI's Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America and Student Government Board sponsor the exhibit. It is free and open to the public, Monday through Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the "CAN DO" drive by bringing can goods for the "CAN DO" sculpture in the exhibit, created out of the contributions. The food will be donated to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Works of art ranging from sculpture, oil and watercolor paintings, collage, prints, cut paper, to photography will show not only the faces of hunger but will also show the connectedness in cities to the issues of poverty, crime, homelessness, and hunger.

"The purpose of the exhibits I install and my own artwork, both visual and performing, is to educate, to raise consciousness and highlight issues that impact the community, the local community and the global community. Hunger is such an issue," notes Steven Pennell, artist-in-residence at URI's F-CCE and exhibit curator. Pennell creates two and three-dimensional collages. He is also a theatre director, actor, dancer, and mime.

Although many of the pieces will feature local places and faces, Pennell says Woonsocket artist GiGi Colson's art captures poverty and hunger in India where she worked with Mother Theresa.

The list of artists whose work will be display include:

David Baggarly Cranston
John Campopiano Cranston
GiGi Colson Woonsocket
Christiane Corbat Warren
Mark Freeman Providence
Tom Morrissey Lincoln
Esther Solondz Providence
Anthony Tomasselli Cranston
Kathy Weber Providence
Anthony Louis Jannetta North Providence

Artist Tom Morrissey teaches art at the Community College of Rhode Island in Lincoln. Students in his art class are producing an installation for this exhibit.

The art exhibit kicks off a series of events URI plans around the issue of hunger. Two hunger banquets will be held at the college. One is planned on April 18 at 5 p.m. The other, a hunger luncheon will be held on April 26 for the Met School, which is housed in the building.

To learn more about URI1s Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America, call 277-5450.

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For More Information: Jan Sawyer, 874-2116