Revolving Art Installation to Transform Weybosset Building Facade
GoLocalProv News Team
Revolving Art Installation to Transform Weybosset Building Facade
The blighted facade of the former bank building on Weybosset Street is being transformed into a revolving art installation by former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino and The Avenue Concept.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe site had recently been taken over by the homeless who were living in the facade. The homeless encampment was removed last week, the arched area was boarded up to create a pallet for public art.
As GoLocalProv reported about the emerging problems in Providence's Financial District in the Weybosset Street Facade, "It was once the location of a historic bank building that was torn-down in the early 2000’s to make way for a gleaming condo-hotel tower. Now, a little more than a decade later what was to be a $90 million development is now home to a group homeless squatters, right in the center of Providence’s Financial District."
INFLUX
“I want to make a statement that ART should become part of the fabric of our community. Although this building should never of been torn Down, the facade does not accomplish anything that will enhance downtown. Hopefully with creating an amazing series of art (installations),” said Paolino.
The first artist installation on the facade will be by Philippe Lejeune. He will be painting trees using simple materials like coffee and water to create a series of trees on the plywood recently installed to cover up the windows on the historic Facade located at 27 Weybosset St downtown.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
PHILIPPE LEJEUNE was born in Garches, France in 1951. In 1970, he gained entrance to the Academie Julian in Paris. In 1971, he was accepted at the ENSAD (Ecole Superieure Des Arts Decoratifs) in Paris. There he studies engraving under Yves Heude and Marcel Fiorini. From 1974-76, he apprenticed at the printmaking studio Mario Boni, Paris, where he met the reknowned illustrator Jean-Michel Folon, who invited him to work with him. From 1977-84, he was Folon’s engraver, translating Folon’s vision into the medium of print; gaining an international reputation for his mastery of Aquatint Technique. Prints exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, for a show titled “Folon’s Folon.” In 1984, Philippe moved to Westport, Connecticut, where he became an etching artist in his own right, published exclusively by Cavliero Fine Arts in New York. In 1987, he branched into painting and sculpture, exploring the relationship of primary colors within space. Between 1988 and 1992, he was commissioned to create outdoor aluminum sculptures for private estates and public spaces, both in the US and France. The city of Stamford commissioned seven wood, glass, and mirror pieces for the Bank Street Program at the Toquam School. In 1992, he returned to France, where he developed a new approach. Site-specific installations challenged
the viewer’s perceptions by juxtaposing reality with virtual images, blurring the line between “what is” and “what is not.” He was invited to experiment with these concepts at the Centre d’Art Contemporain de la Ferme du Buisson in Marne-la Vallee, as well as in schools, museums and public spaces in and around Paris, using his art as a teaching tool for expanding the awareness of children and adults alike. In 1996, he moved with his family to Cape Cod and started quietly painting trees on plywood. In 1998, in addition to the plywood forest, Philippe presented Le Cube, an innovative concept in interactive art education, which was used in the French school system. Since 1999, has been experimenting with the new digital technology within the traditional photographic approach, transforming still images into virtual animations.
From 1999 – 2011 was an adjunct Art Teacher at Cape Cod Community College. Also created and taught hybrid online art classes and a video blogging class. 2010 – presently working fulltime developing the “Glass Project,” a new approach to Images in real spaces and in real-time.
For more info about Philippe Lejeune, visit
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30 Ways RI Can Participate in Giving Tuesday
Clinica Esperanza
60 Valley St, Providence, RI
Clinical Esperanza provides high quality medical care to the uninsured in Rhode Island.
Support their services this holiday by donating to their primary care and clinic efforts - 100% of all donations goes directly to their cause to help the community stay healthy and receive much-needed care!
Photo: Clinica Esperanza
Leukemia & Lymphoma
2348 Post Rd., Warwick, RI
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Rhode Island supports families and patients with much needed support by raising funds to help diagnose and treat blood cancers.
Your donation to their cause will go to fund much needed research and help provide those suffering from blood cancers in your area.
The Autism Project
1516 Atwood Ave., Johnston, RI
The Autism Project of Johnston supports individuals who are on the autism spectrum receive programming and helps educate families on how to provide the best care for their loved ones.
A donation to this organization will help to spread accessible training to the educators, community members, and parents to better understand and help children with this disorder.
Photo: The Autism Project
Serve Rhode Island
655 Broad St., Providence, RI
Serve Rhode Island works directly with AmeriCorps to increase the amount of people who are involved in local community efforts.
They have assisted local students with tutoring programs, Head Start children, and have mobilized volunteers who contributed 35,629 hours of community service.
Photo: Serve Rhode Island
United Way of RI
50 Valley St., Providence, RI
The United Way of Rhode Island serves other smaller organizations in your neighborhood with funding, and support.
A donation to their organization can go on to benefit local shelters, educational programs, and volunteer-supported efforts in Rhode Island.
Photo: United Way of Rhode Island
MAE for the Homeless
MAE Organization for the Homeless helps homeless individuals and their families heal from the traumas and anxieties of their situation.
The organization needs funding for a new facility and basic winter accesories - like hats, gloves, and hand warmers - and toiletries for those in need.
Photo: MAE Organization for the Homeless
RI Tutorial Services
334 East Ave., Pawtucket, RI
RI Tutorial and Educational Services (RITES) assists children who cannot afford tutoring services the help they need.
Donate or sponsor a child who suffers from dyslexia, or ADHD and help them learn and grow.
Photo: RITES
RI Food Bank
200 Niantic Ave, Providence, RI
Rhode Island Food Bank allows you to donate non-perishable food to needy families this holiday season.
Most needed items include: peanut butter, tuna, canned and dried beans, canned chili, soups and stews.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
59 Putnam Pike, Johnston, RI
Become a mentor to an at-risk child through Big Brothers Big Sisters of RI.
The organization is also hosting an annual Give-A-Thon December 2 with a goal of raising $10,000 to support the youth in our community who are facing adversity.
Gloria Gemma
249 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI
Donate to breast cancer research this year with Gloria Gemma.
The organization also has walks which you can participate in or sponsor a friend.
Photo: Gloria Gemma
RI Foundation
One Union Station, Providence, RI
Rhode Island Foundation allows you to donate to any of the 1,300 funds estalished by generous Rhode Islanders.
Choose your cause and help one of the many organizations in your community that needs your support.
Confetti Foundation
78 Thames St., Newport, RI
Confetti Foundation uses donations to provide starter party kits for children who have to celebrate their birthdays in the hospital.
Each kit costs $22 to produce, and the organization is looking to reach it's goal of 500 boxes by December 31st this year.
Photo: Confetti Foundation
Rock Paper Scissors
38 Asa Pond Rd., Wakefield, RI
Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund is an organization that supports music and art programs for children in Vietnam.
You can even donate a bike to children who often have to walk long distances to get to school.
Photo: Rock Paper Scissors Children's Fund
Khadarlis
105 Dodge St, Providence, RI
Khadarlis is an organization that is looking to fight poverty and social inequality in Rhode Island and Sierra Leone.
Khadarlis is focused on supporting the community with healthcare, educational services and other basic needs and supplies.
Photo: Khadarlis
New Urban Arts
743 Westminster St., Providence, RI
New Urban Arts was founded in 1997 and provides a community arts studio for students and emerging artists in Providence.
Donate your time as a volunteer to help mentor urban high school kids and help foster a supportive and creative community.
Photo: New Urban Arts
West Place Animal
3198 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI
West Place Animal Sanctuary volunteer your time to caring for animals in need.
You can also make a tax-deductable donation to support animals like Cleveland and Stewie at West Place.
Photo: West Place Animal Sanctuary
Rhode Island Blood Center
405 Promenade St., Providence, RI
Save a life this holiday by donating blood or platelets to Rhode Island Blood Center.
Donation hours are:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Photo: Rhode Island Blood Center
Amos House
415 Friendship St., Providence, RI
Amos House accepts monetary donations to support the training, housing, and recovery programs they provide for the hungry, homeless and unemployed in Rhode Island.
The organization also accepts donations in-kind such as gently used strollers, pillowcases, laundry detergent, baby formula, and first aid kits for the families who participate in their programs.
Photo: Amos House
Save the Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, RI
Donate or volunteer at Save the Bay this holiday.
You can assist in clean ups and help preserve the natural environment of wildlife in Rhode Island.
Photo: Save the Bay
Hope Funds for Cancer
226 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI
Hope Funds for Cancer Research holds special events every year to help raise money for young researchers looking for fellowship opportunities.
Become a philanthropist for the organization by attending, or make a gift to help fund cancer research in Rhode Island.
Photo: Hope Funds for Cancer Research
Support Our Troops
325 Laurel Ridge Ln., N. Kingstown, RI
Operation Support Our Troops sends care packages to members of the armed forces.
Give our troops a sense of home with your donation, and help them remember they are cared for. You can ever make a donation in honor of a soldier in your life.
Photo: Operation Support Our Troops
Project GOAL
79 Savoy St., Providence, RI
Project GOAL (Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn) aims to develop Rhode Island’s disadvantaged youth through after school tutoring and soccer-related programs.
Volunteer your time or support the staff at Project GOAL to help children in your community.
Operation Stand Down
1010 Hartford Ave, Johnston, RI
Operation Stand Down supports veteran female soldiers who have experienced hardship and homelessness in Rhode Island through their Cpl. Holly Charette House.
Help our troops come home and get back on their feet by donating to Operation Stand Down.
You can also help by organizing food drives for their other locations.
Sojourner House
386 Smith St., Providence, RI
Sojourner House, Inc. is a domestic violence agency that assists victims of relationship violence by providing shelter, advocacy and violence prevention education.
Donate to their safe house wish list with items like toaster ovens, small tables, pillows, fitted sheets, and pots and pans for their residents.
Photo: Sojourner House
Gaia Vaccine Foundation
146 Clifford St., Providence, RI
Gaia Vaccine Foundation accepts volunteers and donations to help immunize people around the world against AIDS.
The organization has recently won Bill and Melinda Gate’s “Grand Challenge Grant”.
Photo: Gaia Vaccine Foundation
Children’s Wishes of RI
2346 Post Rd, Warwick, RI
Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island grants wishes to children living with life-threatening medical illnesses.
Refer a special child in your life or donate things like air miles, and fundraising events to help them say “yes” to children in the community.
Photo: Children's Wishes of Rhode Island
Crossroads RI
160 Broad St, Providence, RI
Crossroads is the largest homeless services organization in Rhode Island.
Donate goods like baby diapers, non-perishable food items, and toiletries to the organization this year to help those who are homeless or at risk during these winter months.
Johnnycake Center
1231 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale, RI
The Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale collects food and other items for its annual holiday program to help families in need and is run by youth volunteer members of Teen Jonnycake.
Donations are still needed for their December Holiday Food Baskets such as pancake mix, cereal, canned juice and soups.
Photo: Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale
Teddy Bear Toss
Friars Hockey will be teaming up with RIPTA on December 6 to donate teddy bears to the West End Community Center.
Make a child's holiday season just a little merrier by bringing a teddy bear to the Friars Hockey Teddy Bear Toss and enjoy the game!
RI CAN
805 Alton Carolina Road, Charlestown, RI
Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need (RI CAN) is always looking for donations to their food pantry and accepts fresh, dry or frozen foods.
RI CAN also accepts articles of clothing, and furniture to give out to their clients.
You can also donate your time by volunteering at events.
