Downtown Providence

It’s been a busy month for us at Black White & Brown. We’re moving across town, which means lots of painting, packing and wondering what on earth we used to do with our time. Then all of those paint samples got us thinking.

Did you know that Providence is known as the “Creative Capital” of the state? Not just for its famous Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) or mouthwatering culinary program at Johnson & Wales, but for all of its special events,  venues, restaurants and more. In Providence, creativity is as essential to her being as the mortar between her bricks, she just wouldn’t be the same without it.

What are some of these creative outlets, you ask. Well, here’s just a few to get your started, from night to day, clear to rainy, adult to child, you can’t go wrong with these:

• Waterfire. There is no way we could talk about the creative culture in Providence and not mention Waterfire. A near-weekly occurrence in summer, Waterfire is exactly how it sounds: a canal-line dotted with bonfires and torches, decorated with live and ever-changing music, and complemented by local art and delicious streetfood. With so many nights and celebrations to choose from, you don’t have an excuse not to go at least once. To check out their schedule and learn more about Waterfire, please visit their website at: http://waterfire.org/.
• Providence Performing Arts Center. Not a good day to be outside or just want to enjoy the arts from the comfort of a plush seat in a gorgeous theatre? Then the Providence Performing Arts Center is the place for you. For adults and kids, the Providence Performing Arts Center (also known as PPAC) offers a variety of shows year-round, from broadway to comedy, Elmo to Newsies. Hate driving in the city? PPAC is surrounded by numerous places to park and is a short walk from many of the city’s greatest restaurants. For more information about PPAC, please visit their website at: http://www.ppacri.org/.
• Downcity. Ah, Downcity, a treasured neighborhood for artists, foodies, and the site for many of this month’s photos. Like its name suggests, Downcity is located in downtown Providence, predominantly along Westminister street. With numerous shops, restaurants, and venues, Downcity is a hub of eclectic architecture, menus and hidden gems. In an area that’s small enough that you could do it in a day and visit Waterfire or PPAC at night, plan your visit by checking out their website at: http://www.shopdowncity.com/.
• Providence Children’s Museum. It’s never too early to kickstart one’s creativity and the Providence Children’s Museum is the perfect place to do it. With the goal of inspiring learning through play, the museum’s programs focus on children from ages one through eleven and feature hands-on activities for a wide range of learning styles and abilities. Once you bring your kid once, they’ll be begging to come back. To learn more and plan your visit, please visit their website at: http://childrenmuseum.org/.

Now, we would be remiss if we did not emphasize that these are just a few of the hundreds of creative options available to you in the area. Whether you’d like to attend an event or be part of one, all of the city’s local art details can be found on the official the Art, Culture & Tourism website at: https://www.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism.