Karin Sprague and her team of stone carvers create hand-made monuments and grave markers with hammers and chisels. But the gravestones are more than just a way to remember a loved one, they are works of art.

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Umberto Crenca is a co-founder of nonprofit community arts organization AS220. He’s also been active as an artist in Providence for decades. WaterFire Arts Center is now showing his series of paintings called “Divine Providence.” Artscape producer James Baumgartner visited the space to talk with Crenca about his work.

The post Artist Umberto Crenca elevates the commonplace in the neighborhoods of ‘Divine Providence’ appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Before Jontavious Willis became a Grammy-nominated blues artist, taken under the wing of elder bluesmen like Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, he grew up in rural Georgia singing gospel in church. This week on Artscape, in a conversation with producer James Baumgartner, Willis said it was the connection to gospel that first sparked his interest in the blues.

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This week on Artscape, two plays: a conversation with the playwright of “2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment,” making its worldwide debut at the Wilbury Theatre, and a review of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” a dark comedy now playing at Trinity Rep.

The post Plays from Trinity and Wilbury reexamine the past and imagine the future appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Lily Henley is a vocalist and fiddle player who performs songs in Ladino, a language of the Sephardic Jewish people. She’s playing Thursday, Sept. 28 at Community College of Rhode Island. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with her about her music.

The post Lily Henley’s new album combines her love of fiddle music and the Ladino language appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

“Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play” is on now at the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield, Rhode Island. It's a 2012 play written by Anne Washburn with music by Michael Friedman. For Artscape this week, producer James Baumgartner and morning host Luis Hernandez give you their review of the show.

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For Artscape this week, producer James Baumgartner spoke with local singer and harmonium player Mohitosh Talukder Taposh.

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A new bronze statue will be unveiled this weekend honoring Edward M. Bannister, an African-American artist who lived in Providence in the late 19th century and was one of the founders of the Providence Art Club. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with members of the Bannister Community Art Project, who helped make the statue a reality.

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Charlestown, Rhode Island is hosting the Rhythm and Roots Festival this weekend, with more than 20 acts across three days of music. The lineup includes Trombone Shorty, Greensky Bluegrass, the Revelers, and Tuba Skinny from New Orleans, who play music inspired by early jazz and blues of the 1920s and 30s. Artscape producer James Baumgartner and editor Mareva Lindo talked with Erika Lewis, who plays bass drum and sings for Tuba Skinny.

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