Women’s Fund of Rhode Island to Host Politically Engaged Art Panel Discussion Virtually

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 13, 2020) – Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) is closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) in regard to our upcoming community events. As you know, this is a rapidly evolving situation, and we recognize the need to be flexible.

Rather than meeting in person at the URI Feinstein Campus as originally planned for our March 26 Mocktails and Conversations: Politically Engaged Art, we’ll be hosting the event virtually instead. Our panelists will be streaming their conversation live through WebEx and the conversation will be open to questions and conversations afterward.

We hope that you will still join us! This is an opportunity to participate if you are out of town or from the comfort of your own home. You can put on some comfy clothes, make a mocktail/cocktail of your choice, and sip while you watch.

The panel discussion will feature artists using different media to create artwork reflecting political themes that are relevant in our times. We’ll delve deep into the inspiration and methods each artist uses and the impact that their work has in each community. Our moderator is Judith Lynn Stillman, Pianist/Composer, Artist-in-Residence and Professor of Music at Rhode Island College.

Panelists include:

• Charlotte Abotsi, Poet and Director of the Providence Poetry Slam
• Kira Hawkridge, Artistic and Founding Director of OutLoud Theatre 
• Monique Rolle Johnson, Painter, and Art Educator

Here’s how you can join us:

We will begin at 6:00 pm with the panel discussion and Q&A. You’ll be treated to a film clip featuring politically engaged women, produced by moderator Judith Lynn Stillman, during the online event.

To join the forum, go to webex.com, hit ‘join’ then enter:

This event is co-hosted by URI Providence Feinstein Gallery and Steven Pennell. This program is made possible in part through funding and support from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. The Council seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.

Be assured that WFRI is sensitive to the unpredictable circumstances this situation presents. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff with questions or concerns about upcoming activities. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

For more information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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