Talking to Steven Pennell of the URI Providence Gallery and the GNP Board about the gallery, gallery night, and the community…
Tell us about the URI gallery, how long has it been open and how long have you been involved?
I founded the URI Providence Campus Gallery as part of the URI Providence Campus Urban Arts and Culture Program in 1999 and we became a Gallery Night Member in 2020. I have been coordinating and curating monthly exhibits since the founding of the gallery.
What do you think makes Gallery Night Providence important to the community?
Gallery Night Providence provides connections and communication between area artists, and between artists and Providence based galleries. We provide connections to new and non-member galleries, between galleries and other arts organizations across the state and throughout the region. We have aided other communities in organizing their own Gallery Night or Gallery collective. We provide free access and accessibility for students, Providence and area residents, and for visitors to the community. Gallery Night is a fun and activating force providing educational tours, panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations along with music, theater, dance and spoken word performances on the 3rd Thursday each month and at other times throughout the season. We promote the visual arts as an integral part of the creative capitol. We foster diversity and mutual understanding through the presentation of art by people of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities and sexualities.
Is there anything you hope to see in the future for GNP?
There is a perception that art is only for a select group of people. The initiated, the wealthy, or the degreed. The heart of what we do is making art accessible to everyone - all ages, all abilities, all walks of life. We are always seeking new ways to grab people's attention, and provide opportunities to introduce them to art as an integral part what it is to be human. So more visibility, more opportunities, being more inclusive for the public, for artists and art institutions.
What is the next show for URI?
For Black History Month I am hosting "We Shall Overcome" an exhibit of Black Americana from the private collection of Onna Moniz-John from East Providence, The exhibit includes: art artifacts and memorabilia that illustrate the conscious construction of racism, and also celebrates individuals who have fought this injustice and made a difference in our perceptions and understanding about Race and Racism
How do you think art benefits humanity?
Art is inspiring and education, it is unique to human kind to express who we are as individuals and as a people through visual and performing arts