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

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture. Calendar for Sophia Academy

Curriculum and calendar for Sophia Academy engagement with the Urban Pond Procession from January-June 2012. The schedule includes a deep integration of site specific learning within educational pedagogy.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture, Letter to residents

Letter to West Elmwood neighborhood residents regarding the installation of a sculpture on Mashapaug Pond designed, fabricated and installed by students at Sophia Academy.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture, design revisions

Design revisions by Steel Yard artists who collaborated with Sophia Academy students to create, fabricate and install a sculpture floating in Mashapaug Pond in 2012.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture, Artists' Statement

Artists Statement by students at Sophia Academy who designed, fabricated and installed a sculpture inspired by the impact of the Gorham Manufacturing Company on Mashapaugh Pond.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Providence Public Library

Students from Sophia Academy and a teacher canoe into Mashapaug Pond to install the custom designed sculpture created in collaboration with the Steel Yard.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Providence Public Library

A view of a custom sculpture designed in collaboration between students at Sophia Academy and the Steel Yard floating in the middle of Mashapaug Pond.

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Mashapaug Pond Sculpture installation

Providence Public Library

Students from Sophia Academy and a teacher canoe into Mashapaug Pond to install the custom designed sculpture created in collaboration with the Steel Yard.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2010

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

Big Nazo puppet characters at the Temple of Music at Roger Williams Park during the Mashapaug Pond Procession in 2010.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2010

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2010

Providence Public Library

A large crowd including community members, Big Nazo puppets and the What Cheer? Brigade, on the shore of Mashapaug Pond.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Providence Public Library

Community members holding handmade signs, props and costumes, including organizer Holly Ewald, participate inthe Mashapaug Pond Procession in 2009.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Providence Public Library

Rick Benjamin, Gigi Dibello and Shawn Rubin participate in the Mashapaug Pond Procession wearing fish costumes and carrying props.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Providence Public Library

Community members, including children in costumes and musicians participate inthe Mashapaug Pond Procession in 2009.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2009

Providence Public Library

Woman in handmade fish costume speaks to members of Save The Bay at the Mashapaug Pond Procession in 2009.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

Students from Charles Fortes Elementary School carry homemade signs while walking in the Mashapaug Pond Procession.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

The Mashapaud Pond Procession, including students from various area schools and the What Cheer? Brigade, walk along Reservoir Avenue in Providence.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

Students from Charles Fortes Elementary School carry homemade signs and join the What Cheer Brigade on the route of the Mashapaug Pond Procession.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

View of the Mashapaug Pond Procession en route showing community members holding handmade signs and banners and a trumpeter from the What Cheer? Brigade.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

Community members join What Cheer? Brigade musicians and a Big Nazo puppet walking in the Mashapaug Pond Procession.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

Children wearing handmade fish costumes walk with a Big Nazo puppet in the Mashapaug Pond Procession along the street outside Adelaide Alvarez High School in Providence.

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Mashapaug Pond Procession, 2008

Providence Public Library

Young members of Community Music Works stand with their instruments and a Big Nazo puppet at the Mashapaug Pond Procession. The pond is visible in the background.