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Scenes from The University of Rhode Island

URI partners with art, culture groups in Representing Race to present exhibit, gallery night performances & community forum

Media Contact: Steven Pennell, 401-277-5206

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – October 19, 2010 – In support of the ongoing University of Rhode Island Honors Colloquium RACE, the URI Feinstein Providence Campus, International Gallery of Heritage and Culture, and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts have combined efforts to explore race and racism as experienced by members of the Rhode Island community. Activities during November include an art exhibition, music, dance, storytelling and a play on gallery night, and a community forum. All events, free and open to the public, will be held at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus, 80 Washington St., Providence.

Community Forum on Racism, Nov. 20

A community forum on racism with community leaders who will share their experiences and enter into community dialogue about “Racism in Rhode Island, Where are We Now, Where Do We Need to Go from Here” will be held in the Paff Auditorium of the URI Providence Campus on Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. Forum panelists include Donald Cunnigen, URI professor of sociology; Melba DePena, Delia Rodriguez, Argentine immigrant advocate and founder of the College Planning Center, Latino College Access Coalition; Silaphone Nnongrongsontay, vice president of the Laotian Community Center.

REPRESENTING RACE Exhibition, Nov. 1 to 28

More than 150 pieces of art in all media by professional community artists of diverse races and ethnicities share the visual narrative of their experiences with representation and misrepresentation, their treatment and mistreatment based on perceptions of race and racism in the exhibition, REPRESENTING RACE. The exhibit, which runs from Nov. 1 to 28, explores the construction of race and racism through stereotypes and misinterpretations of cultural differences. The works will be on display at the URI Providence Campus first and second floor lobby Gallery.

Art groups featured in the exhibit are works by Central Falls High School students and Youth In Action from Rhode Island For Community and Justice and work from the Rhode Island Holocaust Museum Collection. Individual artists displaying works are Pablo Alvarez, Alfonso Acevedo, Nora Almond, Sharon Armour, Rebecca Flores Armado, Astrid, Elizabeth Berroa, Tallibah Cabral, Carlos Cabral, Jenny Cabreja, Grosewon Casey, Priscilla Carrion, Nilton Cardenas, Pamela Council, Gigi Colson Desaulniers, David Delanos, Tamara Diaz, Felix Diclo, Kim Ellery, Shaynah Ferreira, Ana Flores, George Garcia, Stephen P. Gross, Benny Harris, Francisco Hernandez, Lee Johnson, Aaliyah Jones, Evangelista Jimenez, Victor Justo, Joe Bun Keo, Elena Krajeski, Stephen Koharian, Nixon Leger, Sabrerah Malik, Cindy Taylor Meeks, Titilola O. Martins, Ona Moniz-Johns, Donna Mitchell, Kendall Moore, James Montford, Munir Mohammed, Arides Pichardo, Angel Quinonez, Lincoln Read, Hannah Resseger, Amy Jean Romero, Basma Samira, Carol Scavotto, Jade Sisti, Kathleen Sonier, Dawn Speares, Simone Spruce Torres, Anthony Tomaselli, Sidney Tillet, Sirarpi Heghinian Walzer, Marsha Wiencke, and Sandra Yeghian. Music, food, dance, storytelling, and an original play performance.

A Gallery Night Reception on Nov. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. will highlight local ethnic musical groups and ethnic foods. The Community Folk Artists/Performers begin at 5 p.m. in the URI Providence Campus Gallery with stories by foremost storyteller Valerie Tutson. A play, Tiger, Tiger, will be presented by AWARE from Johnson and Wales University students who are also Hmong refugees, sitar music will be performed by Momin Malik, and a world dance will be performed by Human Creativity from Central Falls High School.
For more information, contact Steven Pennell, coordinator of the Urban Arts and Culture Program URI Providence Campus, 401.277.5206 or spennell@etal.uri.edu.