City of Providence Collaborates with Local Latinx Artists for Public Art Installation Celebrating Frontline Workers
Mi Gente Siempre Responde Public Art Banners to be on Display Until March 2021
PROVIDENCE R.I. – In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Jorge Elorza, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, and the City of Providence Healthy Communities Offices invite residents and visitors to experience Mi Gente Siempre Responde, a public art project that celebrates the contribution Latino community members have made during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The large-scale banners will be installed on Friday, September 25 from 8 AM – 4 PM at seven locations around the City.
“Mi Gente Siempre Responde beautifully encapsulates the true essence of the Creative Capital,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “Over the last 6 months, frontline workers have been the backbone of our City. We are grateful for their contributions during the pandemic and proud to celebrate their efforts while also highlighting our diverse creative community.”
After famed artist Shepard Fairey’s unveiled R.I. Angel of Hope and Strength in April and after conversation with Mayor Elorza’s Latino Ambassador’s group, artist Shey Rivera Ríos, poet Sussy Santana and Tony Mendez of Power 102.1 FM & Poder 1110 released a call-for-art to reimagine the piece, this time with a heightened focus on Providence’s Hispanic community. Ultimately, the designs from seven local Latinx artists featuring tributes to frontline workers were commissioned. Locations for the banners were selected with recommendations from the community, including the City of Providence’s COVID-19 Latino Taskforce. As part of the project, which will be on display until March 2021, the banners also feature COVID-19 safety info to help further combat the spread of the virus in Providence.
The featured artists and locations are:
Antonia Lara Sánchez
America’s Food Basket
863 Broad St
René Gómez
PVD Community Health Center
355 Prairie Ave
Matt Garza
ECAS Theater
55 Parkis Ave
Tracy Jonsson-Laboy
Southside Cultural Center
393 Broad St
Shey Rivera Ríos
PVD Community Health Center
239 Cranston St
Atabey Sánchez-Haiman
One Neighborhood Builders
66 Chaffee St.
Raúl Velásquez
PVD Community Health Center
100 Curtis St
Support for this project is provided by the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism with funding from RI State Council for the Arts (RISCA), the City of Providence Healthy Communities Office, the City of Providence’s COVID-19 Latino Taskforce, and Power 102.1 FM & Poder 1110. To learn more about the project and the artists visit https://artculturetourism.com/
WHO: Mayor Jorge Elorza, Shey Rivera Rios (lead artist), and community members
WHAT: Mi Gente Siempre Responde Public Art Banner Installation
WHERE: Seven Locations (see above)
WHEN: Friday, September 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM – 4 PM*
*Banners will be installed throughout the day. Mayor Jorge Elorza will be visiting the Southside Cultural Center (393 Broad St) at 12:15 PM. If you are interested in scheduling an on-site interview or capturing b-roll, please email Katherine Hypolite at khypolite@providenceri.gov