Exhibit At City Hall Presents Visions Of An Unbuilt City

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2011

Contact: Anne M. Valk
401-863-1177
anne_valk@brown.edu

CAPITAL IDEAS: PLANNING PROVIDENCE
EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL PRESENTS VISIONS OF AN UNBUILT CITY

Can you imagine zipping around downtown on a monorail train? Rowing a boat in front of the State House? Driving on a freeway soaring above the canal? At one time, these incredible ideas were proposed for our city.

"Capital Ideas: Planning Providence" is an exhibition commemorating the history of Providence through the presentation of dozens of design plans pulled from the City Archives. On view in the Providence City Hall Gallery (2nd floor) from May 4 through June 22, 2011, the exhibit presents plans and designs for never-built projects proposed for the capital city.

The exhibit is curated by Brown University students in partnership with the John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage, Roger Williams National Memorial, and the City of Providence Archives and the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism. It is presented in conjunction with "Celebrate Providence 375 Years," a year-long celebration to honor Roger Williams' legacy and ideals.

Dr. Anne M. Valk, advisor to the students and the Associate Director for Programs at the John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage at Brown University, describes the process of creating the exhibit, "Capital Ideas has given students a chance to discover hidden riches in the City Archives. The documents there provide fascinating evidence of the ideas and initiatives that have shaped Providence over time. Not only do these materials offer new ways to understand the history of the City but they also can inspire Providence residents to dream about new forms for the City of the future."

The public is invited to an all-ages opening reception on Wednesday, May 4 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Providence City Hall. The event will include a talk from the City Hall archivist, Paul Campbell, as well as activities that invite visitors to imagine future designs for places and amenities that improve the city. The new designs that visitors create will be displayed later outside at the Roger Williams National Memorial and serve as a monument to the 375th and to the creativity of Providence residents.

The City Hall exhibit will be on view through June 22, 2011, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

For more information on the exhibit and events, contact the John Nicholas Brown Center, 401-863-1177 or visit planningprovidence.wordpress.com.

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