Collaborative Profile

This post will cover the key areas of providence that we find interesting, The first post will tell you more about Rhode Islands hotels and the second post will be more focused on the creative part of the capital. Mark J. Rivera Writing 104 Professor Adria Evans November 28, 2012 Providence, Rhode Island is arguably the most historic city in the state and maybe even New England. Downcity provides an abundance of well known universities including Brown and RISD, undoubtedly the number one fine arts college in the United States. It also boasts many award winning restaurants scattered across Federal Hill as well as the east side of Providence. Architecture plays a major role n the development of the city and its hotels provide some of the best views of what many consider “The Renaissance State”. In the middle of downtown Providence, lie a couple of flashy, yet classy 4 star hotels which receive great reviews from visitors all around. The Renaissance hotel, originally expected to be a Masonic temple is a prime example of both rich architecture and deep history. When the project first began in the early 1920s no one expected it to be what it is today. It was abandoned in 1929, where it remained unfinished for seventy eight years. In 2004, it was purchased by a Colorado hotel/lodging company by the name of Sage Hospitality Resources. They began a 100 million dollar project that helped The Renaissance become the biggest restoration project in the history of Providence. It’s only been open for five years but it is already considered a close competitor and rival with the already well known Biltmore hotel that has been up for almost a century. The fact that the building dates back to the early 20s is just one of the many reasons for its success and notoriety. It also is in prime location stationed just minutes from Waterplace Park and only seconds away from the state house and the Providence Place Mall.

Upon my stay at The Renaissance I was instantly blown away by the luxurious environment I was surrounded by as soon as I took my first steps into the building. The vibrant colors intertwined with the very classy cigar lounge feel I got upon further exploring the main hall, gave me an impression that I was in the Titanic. There are also many hints, such as Masonic symbols scattered around the building that further prove this was at one point expected to be a Masonic temple. Aside from the many beautiful architectural details that decorated this wonderful 4 star hotel was the main attraction, the most breath taking presidential suite I’ve ever seen in my life. I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one to think so as The Renaissance hotel is known to have the most amazing presidential suite in all of Providence, and was actually well worth the almost $500 price tag. Another artichetectural masterpiece, the close rival of The Renissaince and by far the most historic hotel in the city is none other than the Biltmore Providence. Destined for greatness since first opening in 1922, it “has been placed on the National Preservation Register as one of the country’s cherished architectural treasures” (http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.html). The project was so ambitious that it was designed by Whitney Warren and Charles Wetmore who along with Reed and Stem were responsible for the masterpiece that is Grand Central Station. They built the hotel in a v shape to assure that every guest have an outside view of the city. The hotel was bound to receive a buzz as soon as it opened as it was named the “new tourist and social center of Providence” (http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.html). Throughout the 1930s and 1940s The Biltmore hosted a number of live performances from jazz greats and other famous orchestra leaders. It was also featured in two films as well as a few seasons of the Showtime series Brotherhood from 2004-2007. No matter what The Biltmore Providence is involved in it always seems to shine doing so. Always know for style and glamour, it raised the bar when hosting its performance as it was quoted that “The dance floor was once turned into an aquarium, complete with live fish, for a performance by Esther Williams. For Sonia Henie’s ice show, the floor was frozen solid” (http://www.providencebiltmore.com/history.html). Biltmore Providence, although having its fair share of good fortune has also suffered quite a bit of tough tragedies at the hand of some of New England’s most deadly hurricanes in recent history. The New England hurricane of 1938 and Hurricane Carol of 1954 were by far the most devastating storms to ever hit New England, as well as many other surrounding states. The two storms greatly affected the hotel, as they were both reported to have flooded the streets with numbers between 12 and 13 feet. The floods cause The Biltmore’s lobby to be completely flooded, causing millions of dollars in damages. Nevertheless the luxury hotel has proved that it is capable of sustaining a lot of damage, representing the struggles that this city has undergone throughout the years. Even when it was closed in 1974 it was re-opened just five years after showing its resiliency and importance in the city of Providence.

The construction of large luxury hotels and good architecture has been an important part of Providence’s history and culture for many years. It demonstrates how this is a city of fine art and creativity that sets the stage for new ideas and exciting projects to take place. No matter what it is Downcity is always looking to move forward and bring forth very ambitious developments in efforts to boost the city’s economy, using projects just like these to do so. Hotels provide places for tourists and other individuals to stay while visiting or doing business in the city; Providence can easily say it has some of the most ambitious and luxurious hotels New England has to choose from. Odolph Thomas Professor: Adria Evans Course: Wrt 104 4 December 2012 Collaborative Profile The meaning of AS220 is the result of a group of artist’s that were dissatisfied with the status quo. The providence art scene, as virtually everywhere, had been held hostage by the whims of a small group of gallery owners and “scholarly” art associations who felt empowered to define art in accordance with their own personal tastes and preferences so they ended up creating an atmosphere where the boring and familiar were rewarded and originality was looked down upon and considered an threat to the establishment which the “meaning” of art. The problem was if they didn’t like or understand an artist, then he or she didn’t have chance at reaching the public. The solution was clear; there should be a public venue made up galleries, and a performance space that would be free and not judged, unless it was a competition that had set rules. This space would be available to any artist or performer of any background, education or political affiliation. In the spring of 1982 a Manifesto Known as “The New Challenge” was published in the now defunct Providence Eagle [April 14, 1982]. It was signed by Steven Emma, Martha Dempster and Umberto Crenca. This document articulated the founding principle upon which AS220 was modeled, “Art must be allowed to flourish unhampered because Art is one of the last areas of culture where Man defines his/her Spirit”. The art Space of AS220’s development occurred in a group of rooms and corridor; a long way from the elevator, on the largely abandoned third floor of the Providence Performing Arts Center on Weybossett St. On the street above the door was the number 220. Someone had found the old A frame chalkboard that a forgotten restaurant once used to advertise the daily special. On it was written some reference to “Beatniks”, an invitation to “Discover AS220” and the directions “Up to the third floor, left off the elevator, second right, right, left, right, down hall.” AS220 was a large room, overlooking Weybossett from the third floor. There were a few overstuffed chairs and a couch or two and an unwanted piano that someone had donated. Off the main room were the coffee bar and maybe one or two studios. The only heat provided in the building was to keep the water pipes from freezing. The coffee brewers and light bulbs didn’t help much. Everyone ignored the cold. Already AS220 had become a successful rendezvous for the “Tragically Hip”. Artist and performers were curiously attracted to the space. People gathered and shared coffee, ideas, stories and craft. Bands were created; theater groups were born. At that time the only income to AS220 was the “a pass of the hat” and the “donations” collected for the coffee that was free and the only beverage available. “Alternate Space was found sometime during the spring, there was a great buzz about the new space on Richmond St. One evening, just after dark, a group of us walked over to view the second floor of 72 Richmond St.; it was a total wreck! In the darkness, aided by one or two flashlights, we could see the debris and dust of long forgotten jewelry shops and storage areas, hobo abodes and pigeon droppings; no running water, no lights. I found a fuse box in one of the rooms and went back to my van to get some fuses. When I screwed them into the fuse box the lights came on or at least enough of them to be the cause of great celebration. It seemed the gods were smiling on AS220! Now we could really see the mess we had gotten into.”(Early AS220 Staff Member) The beginning of the Providence Public Library date back to June 1871 when representatives from The Franklin Society, the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, The Franklin Lyceum, and the Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers first met to form a Free Public Library, Art Gallery, and a Museum of Natural History. The group planned that the libraries of each society would be merged for the free use of the members and for general reference by the public. Till this day the library still stands on Empire Street, 64 years ago there was no Kennedy Plaza I makes it difficult to visualize how would the down town look like without the landmarks that we know today. Another piece of information that I found is that the library on empire street will be going under renovations, that that it can also double as a place to have events, these events include weddings and other activities. Works Cited AS20 website and Megan Thoma Providence Public Library website: http://www.provlib.org/providence-public-library-history