Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who kept a literary spirit alive in a tough New England seaport, died this January at 70 years old after a brief illness. Cohen was the focus of what turned out to be the last show UMass Dartmouth exhibited at its gallery in downtown New Bedford before the university abruptly closes its campus there at the end of the month. For this week’s Artscape, South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke interviewed more than a dozen people who knew Cohen. The result is a col...
Aug 24, 2023•8 min
UMass-Dartmouth will be closing its arts school at the Star Store in downtown New Bedford, and relocating all classes and studios to the state university’s main campus in Dartmouth. The school's chancellor, Mark Fuller, announced the closure in an email to faculty on Monday, less than two weeks before the start of the school year. The post Why is UMass-Dartmouth leaving the Star Store and how will that affect New Bedford? appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Aug 17, 2023•2 min
A new art exhibit at Brown University’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice explores a landscape of spiritual and physical freedom through the lens of history. The post Artist explores ‘intimate bond of freedom and green’ at Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Aug 10, 2023•1 min
The Kingston Chamber Music Festival marks its 35th season this year with seven concerts of music from across the centuries. The final three concerts are this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with composer Tina Davidson, whose work “I Hear the Mermaids Singing” will be featured on Sunday. The post You can ‘Hear the Mermaids Singing’ at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival this weekend appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Aug 03, 2023•1 min
Originally built in 1929, the Providence National Bank Building was demolished in 2005 to make way for a residential tower that was never built. All that's left now is an empty facade – one brick wall on Weybosset Street propped up by steel struts. Instead of windows, the facade has five panels that feature a new mural every year. This year’s mural, "Parade" was painted by Michelle Perez. It features giant bright orange koi fish, held aloft by people riding bicycles and skateboards on a cool blu...
Jul 27, 2023•1 min
Edie Fake was first known for his work in comics and zines. Then in the mid-aughts he started creating architectural drawings of real and imagined LGBTQ spaces in Chicago featuring bright colors, crisp lines and geometric designs. Now you can see Fake’s “On The Wall,” an all-encompassing room at Providence College. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with the exhibit’s curator, Jamilee Lacy. The post ‘On the Wall’: A gallery for contemplation and reflection at Providence College appeared ...
Jul 20, 2023•1 min
The 2023 Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art opens Thursday, July 13, at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. It’s a combination of two exhibits with nearly 50 artists, almost all from the Providence area. Artscape producer James Baumgartner has this preview. The post Local artists celebrate cultural heritage, commemorate the mundane at Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Jul 13, 2023•2 min
The Newport Classical Music Festival opened its 54th season earlier this week, and there are several concerts this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with festival director Gillian Friedman Fox for a preview of a few of the concerts. The post Concerts at the Breakers and free music in the park at Newport Classical Music Festival appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Jul 06, 2023•1 min
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” It’s a saying many of us heard as kids. But a project by local photographer Gershon Stark turns the phrase on its head. In this week’s episode of Artscape, Morning Host Luis Hernandez talks with Stark about two exhibits at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts that highlight the power of words. The post ‘Words Matter’: Two photography exhibits show the power of words to harm and heal appeared first on TPR: The Public's...
Jun 29, 2023•5 min
Actor Alan Cumming is known for his Tony Award-winning turn as the Emcee in “Cabaret,” as well as roles in “Spy Kids,” “The Good Wife,” and many more. Ari Shapiro is a familiar voice to public radio listeners as the host of NPR’s All Things Considered. The two are performing together in “Och and Oy! A Considered Cabaret,” coming to the Zeiterion in New Bedford on Saturday, June 24. In a conversation with Morning Host Luis Hernandez earlier this month, Cumming talked about the show, his love of c...
Jun 22, 2023•2 min
"New Excellent Woman" is the latest album from Providence-based musician Asher White. At twenty-three years old, she already boasts an impressive catalog of over a dozen albums. White describes her music as collage pop -- reflected in the range of influences you can hear represented in it, from Sufjan Stevens, to The Books, to Daniel Johnston. She came to the studio for this conversation – and a performance – with Artscape producer James Baumgartner and Morning Host Luis Hernandez. The post Stud...
Jun 15, 2023•2 min
The first Providence Porchfest is happening this Saturday, June 10. It’s a series of concerts taking place on porches across the East side. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with two of the organizers, Peter Evangelista and Brendan Kinnell, as well as Beth Barron, one of the performers. The post From Hawaiian folk to barbershop quartets, Providence Porchfest presents a “musical bar crawl” through local music appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Jun 08, 2023•7 min
Sweeney Todd is a challenging show for directors and actors to recreate on stage. It’s a show with dark themes but if done right, it should be really funny. The latest iteration is playing at Trinity Rep. The post ‘Sweeney Todd’ hits the right balance of dark and fun at Trinity Rep appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Jun 02, 2023•3 min
The latest play from the Wilbury Theatre Group is “Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight,” an original musical inspired by Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with the playwright, Darcie Dennigan, and composer, Niki Healy, about their collaboration on this unusual piece. The post Feminist art history meets 60s girl groups in original musical at the Wilbury appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Jun 01, 2023•1 min
Natasha Connolly said she likes writing because it “forces you to look at the world in a different way.” The post Rhode Island high school student wins national poetry competition appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
May 25, 2023•1 min
The Newport Art Museum has two exhibitions right now, showcasing a panoply of art created from apparel and textiles. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner visited the museum recently and talked with two of the curators who put the shows together. The post Newport Art Museum weaves textiles and apparel in two outstanding exhibitions appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
May 18, 2023•2 min
Sherenté Mishitahin Harris is a two-spirit gender-queer pow-wow dancer from the Narragansett tribe. One of his greatest loves is performing in traditional women’s dance competitions across New England. But many in the community still hold onto traditional gender roles – and some judges don’t let Sherenté dance in the women’s category. A documentary called “Being Thunder” tells his story. The post ‘Being Thunder’ – Sherenté Harris’ journey as a two-spirit Narragansett dancer appeared first on TPR...
May 11, 2023•2 min
Artscape producer James Baumgartner talks with Andy Grover, a Providence resident who makes Lego models of historic buildings in Rhode Island. The post Andy Grover shows his love of RI historic buildings with Lego models appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
May 04, 2023•1 min
“Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America” examines the impact of wrestling CEO Vince McMahon on American culture and politics. The post Local author’s new book examines the life and influence of wrestling CEO Vince McMahon appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Apr 27, 2023•3 min
"Sound in Space, Sound in Place" is the latest exhibition at The New Bedford Art Museum. It features sound art that fills the converted bank building with sounds that invite the visitor to explore. The post The New Bedford Art Museum is filled with sound for its latest exhibition appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Apr 13, 2023•2 min
Raskin’s latest release is a collection of dream-pop songs with a message of love and acceptance to their younger self. The post Studio Session: Roz Raskin on self-healing and Nova One’s latest album, ‘Create Myself’ appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Apr 06, 2023•3 min
The latest play at Trinity Rep is called “The Inferior Sex,” a comedy that takes place in the office of a feminist women’s fashion magazine in the early 1970s. The post ‘The Inferior Sex’ brings the spirit of ‘72 to Trinity Rep appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Mar 30, 2023•1 min
The authoritarian regime used movies as a form of propaganda. The post Portuguese film series highlights stories of life under the authoritarian Estado Novo regime appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Mar 23, 2023•1 min
If you go up to the third floor of the New Bedford free library this month, you’ll find a display of handmade dresses, pillows, wall hangings, necklaces and more in a glass display case. It’s all part of the Afghan Women’s Art Project, a collaborative effort to support newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan. Artscape producer James Baumgartner spoke with the organizers of the exhibit. The post Afghan refugees bring their handicrafts to New Bedford library appeared first on TPR: The Public's Rad...
Mar 16, 2023•1 min
The Motion State Dance Festival takes place Thursday through Saturday, featuring live performances as well as dance on film. The post Personal stories told through dance at the Motion State Dance Festival appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Mar 09, 2023•1 min
Colorful works by self-taught artists at the Jamestown Arts Center. The post ‘Harnessing Color’ brings sunshine to the Jamestown Arts Center appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Mar 02, 2023•58 sec
Nuestras Raíces, meaning “our roots,” has been documenting the stories of the state’s many Latino populations since 1991. The post Oral history project shares the stories of Latino communities in Rhode Island appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Feb 23, 2023•8 min
The Providence-based ballet marks 45 years with world-premiere performances choreographed by members of the company. The post Festival Ballet celebrates the spirit of ‘78 appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Feb 16, 2023•1 min
The Providence local imagines what traditional Black American folk music will sound like in a world where rising seas, desertification and natural disasters have rendered much of the world uninhabitable. The post Studio Session: Musician Jake Blount’s Afrofuturist vision of a post climate-change world appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio ....
Feb 09, 2023•3 min
Crystal Williams envisions a RISD that’s more inclusive and accessible – and tuition-free. The post RISD’s new president is a poet with a passion for the arts and education appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio .
Feb 02, 2023•2 min
