Mayor Taveras and President Pro Tempore Terrence Hassett to Host Benefit to Restore Mayoral Portraits

Mayor Angel Taveras and Council President Pro Tempore Terrence Hassett will co-host a reception on Thursday, September 27, 2012, to help raise funds to clean and restore a collection of portraits depicting the past mayors of Providence. Earlier this year, Mayor Angel Taveras unveiled the restored portrait of Mayor Patrick McCarthy, an impoverished Irish immigrant who grew up in Providence and earned his way through Harvard. Mayor McCarthy's portrait currently hangs over the fireplace in Mayor Taveras's office.

Providence's collection of thirty-two mayoral portraits spans more than 170 years and is considered to be one of the most complete collections of its kind in the United States. Well-known regional artists with works in the collection include James S. Lincoln, Hugo Breul, Charles W. Stetson, Sidney S. Burleigh, and Presidential portraitist G.P.A. Healy. A number of these paintings have been marred by decades of smoke and air pollution, while others are torn or have damaged frames.

"These paintings represent an important part of our city's artistic and political heritage and we must make every effort to ensure that these works are preserved for future generations," said Mayor Angel Taveras.

The event, scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the GTECH headquarters on Memorial Boulevard, will feature a live auction, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and musical entertainment by the Kirk Feather Trio. A 40-person host committee comprised of former mayors and local leaders in business, government, and the arts will be in attendance, supporting the effort to save these irreplaceable cultural icons.

Tickets for the event are $50.00. For more information or to purchase a ticket, contact City Archivist Paul Campbell at 421-7740 ext. 558 or e-mail him at .