UPP Arts

UPP Arts is made up of a revolving group of volunteer artists, scientists, educators and concerned citizens who are all interested in collaborating to promote the health of our urban ponds. We facilitate workshops for all ages in which participants learn about the ponds' environmental and health issues while making creative props for an annual cele... bratory procession to raise further awareness and advocate for the ponds' clean-up, both building community and improving the environment. Among our artists are UPP's founder, Holly Ewald, RISD students and alumni , and teaching artists and staff from local community arts organizations including New Urban Arts, and Providence ¡CityArts! for Youth. These artists present creative ways to approach and begin to solve real-world environmental issues surrounding the Lower Pawtuxet Watershed through arts workshops with youth in schools and the greater population in public spaces. Their work is informed by the scientific expertise of representatives from the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island, smallFEAT, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Rhode Island Department of Health. UPP is also very fortunate to have the support of a team of professional educators whose collective experience working with all ages, in school and out, helps ensure that we provide meaningful and engaging educational instruction to as many different sectors of the public as possible.Read More