UPP Arts Collection

This collection documents the artistic, administrative, and educational activities of UPP Arts.The materials in this collection reflect a decade of interdisciplinary collaborations between artists, educators, students, and community members who used place-based art to celebrate and build awareness for Providence’s urban ponds. Their work focused particularly on Mashapaug Pond and its environs, which include the site of the Gorham Manufacturing Company and the former West Elmwood neighborhood.
This collection is part of Providence Public Library Digital Collections, hosted by Providence Public Library.

Items in this collection

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

A view of participants in the Urban Pond Procession walking down the street. Including Phil Edmonds, members of the What Cheer? Brigade band and a person on stilts.

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

Woman on stilts and man with props participating in the Urban Pond Procession at Mashapaug Pond in 2010.

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

Community members celebrate with the What Cheer? Brigade at the Urban Pond Procession at Mashapaug Pond in 2010. The boathouse and the pond are in the background.

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

Children wearing handmade fish costumes and carrying signs participate int he Urban Pond Procession in 2010.

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

A view of participants in the Urban Pond Procession bowing to the Mashapaug Pond. Included is organizer Holly Ewald, puppets from Big Nazo and children.

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Urban Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

Video of the Urban Pond Procession in 2010. Includes still images and film footage of the start of the event at the Temple of Music in Roger Williams Park as well as the procession to Mashapaug Pond. Includes music by What Cheer? Brigade band and clip of the speech by Elizabeth Scott of the Department of Environmental Management.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2016

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2016

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 9th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2016. Poster includes map of the route and botanical illustrations of wildlife at Mashapaug Pond.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2015

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2015

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 8th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2015. Poster includes illustration of the procession and a map of the route.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2014

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2014

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 7th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2014. Poster includes the map route of the procession with key sites.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2013

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2013

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 6th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2013. Poster includes the map route of the procession with key sites and illustration of fish.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2012

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2012

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 5th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2012. Poster includes the map route of the procession with key sites and illustration of fish.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2011

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2011

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 4th annual Urban Pond Procession in 2011. Poster includes the map route of the procession with key sites.

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2010

Urban Pond Procession poster, 2010

Providence Public Library

Poster for the 3rd annual Urban Pond Procession in 2010. Poster includes the map route of the procession with key sites.

Urban Pond Procession planning meeting

Photograph of the final planning meeting before the first Urban Pond Procession. Organizers sit on the deck of a home on Crescent Street with a view of Mashapaug Pond in the background.

Urban Pond Procession invitation

Urban Pond Procession invitation

Providence Public Library

Handmade sign for the Urban Pond Procession by students at Providence CityArts for YouthHighlander Charter School workshop in 2010

Urban Pond Procession highlights

Urban Pond Procession highlights

Providence Public Library

Film of the Urban Pond Procession in 2013. Procession starts at Alvarez High School and includes footage of community members processing aound the neighborhood with marching bands and Big Nazo puppets and highlighting student projects.

Urban Pond Procession at Pronk

Urban Pond Procession at Pronk

Providence Public Library

Community members and children representing the Urban Pond Procession participate in the Pronk Festival in 2013.

Urban Pond Procession at Pronk

Urban Pond Procession at Pronk

Providence Public Library

Children wearing handmade fish costumes with UPP Arts volunteer Phil Edmonds at the Pronk Festival in 2013.