HOME | POME [product of my environment]
Featuring Providence-born, not "Providence-based" artists.
This exhibit will proudly showcase Providence-born artists with work that expresses or demonstrates how our location and conditions have affected them. How does your experience growing up in Providence show up in your work, practice, and self? How has this environment influenced you as an artist? Our goal is to give space to artists of all mediums who didn't choose to call Providence home but rather were given this life and gift.
Opening Night: Sat. March 1, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 PM free & open to the public
On view March 1 - April 27, 2025
Heather Taylor
Bio: Heather Taylor is an emerging artist from Providence, Rhode Island. Growing up surrounded by the artistic community and diverse landscapes of Providence, she developed a passion for expressing her experiences through mixed media. Taylor’s art often incorporates elements of her childhood memories and local influences, merging nostalgia with modern themes. She uses bold colors and a whimsical style to capture the essence of her vision. Heather’s unique perspective continues to evolve as she draws inspiration from the ever-changing dynamics of her beloved city and her environment.
Background: I grew up on Chalkstone Ave in a large Italian family. As kids, we were encouraged to explore mediums and create what we envision. I choose to continue the arts and follow my passion - painting.
Kery Rodriguez (he/him)
@cantseesunsets
Bio: Kery is an artist based in Rhode Island whose work lives in multiple mediums. A printmaker and fashion designer, Kery explores revolutionary themes and imagery through clothing. Most of his work is rooted deeply in the punk counterculture of Rhode Island. Instead of putting his work on the walls of buildings in the city, he vandalizes clothing instead.
Background: I am from the South Side of Providence, born and raised for over 23 years. Broad Street is my home, while Dominican and Afro-Latino culture have been key in molding me into the artist I am today.
Pamela Fernández
@pamelaamfernandez
Bio: Pamela Fernandez is a Providence-based interdisciplinary artist. Immigrating at a young age from the Dominican Republic my cultural identity and idea of home have been created from fragments pieced together from my own lived experiences, familial stories and media. My work embodies trying to put these fragments together to answer and explore my questions about my ancestry, culture, and ideas of home and how these have impacted my personal identity and have formed my relationship to the Caribbean-Diaspora at large.
Background: I immigrated to Providence from the Dominican Republic at 5 years old and grew up all over south side.
Karen Drysdale Harris (she/her)
Bio: Karen Drysdale Harris is a Jamaican-born painter based in Rhode Island. She holds a BFA from RISD and draws inspiration from nature and her Jamaican heritage. Her work captures the vivid colors and tranquility of the Caribbean, exploring how nature can trigger lost memories. Observing the life cycle of banana leaves, she reflects on themes of transition and the journey of life.
Background: We lived in South Providence, West Elmwood, Camp St area, Roger William Zoo area, and the Eastside of Providence.
Afilandra Goncalves (she/they)
@afiartart
Bio: Afi was born in Providence, RI in a particularly dense cloud of smoke. From a young age they were involved in the local art scene in Providence. You could often find them running around recording studios, attending PVD Fest, and patronizing the Black Rep (only OG’s remember). They moved to Bed Stuy, a primarily black and Afro-Caribbean neighborhood, in 2001. They moved back to Providence to attend the Rhode Island School of Design in 2016 and graduated in 2020.
Background: I grew up in the Elmwood area of Providence. I was born at Women & Children's hospital to a Cabo Verdean mother and African-American father. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my Creole family but slowly over time I lost my language and my link to my culture.