Tape Art, Panel Discussion, and Public Tea, June 9 June 23

Update: Due to the predicted extreme heat on the 9th, this event has been postponed until the 23rd.

During the month of June, a major TAPE ART INSTALLATION will transform the Bank of America Skating Center with a 14,000 square foot mural celebrating Providence’s 375th Anniversary Founding by Roger Williams, interpreting the themes of “Roots, Hope, Ingenuity, and Freedom.” Michael Townsend and fellow artists will create the large-scale drawing using only colored painter’s tape over the course of three weeks.

Join us for related fun events throughout the month – and especially Thursday, June 9th when we will host both a Public Tea and entertaining Panel Discussion!

2:30pm – 6pm – PUBLIC TEA FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Join members of the public + public tea hostesses, Shirin Adhami, Stephanie Fortunato and Devon Miller, for an afternoon of tea, cookies + conversation. All members of the public welcome (that’s you)! What does it mean to be a “member of the public?” Can everyone be a member or is it a choice? Explore the idea of public space in Providence – from parks to public bathrooms to sidewalks – by engaging in conversation over a cup of tea about what it means to be a member of the public and how it affects our use of public space.

6pm – 7:30pm – PANEL DISCUSSION with Stephanie Fortunato / Providence Dept of Art, Culture + Tourism, as moderator, and Elizabeth Keithline / RISCA, Noah Fischer / RISD, Bert Crenca / AS220, and Michael Townsend / Tape Art as panelists. Light refreshments will be served as we dive into questions like:

What is the value of temporary public art work vs. “permanent” public art work? How can the ephemeral have a powerful impact on a community? Why does public art matter? Does public art belong to the public? How important is the division between an artist’s creative expression/intent and the public as an audience and their perception? How does public art transform the public?

RSVP on Facebook!