The Gallery at PPL

Providence Public Library (PPL), in partnership with AS220, OPEN, and the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT), has formed a curatorial collaboration to activate and sustain the Library’s gallery spaces during a period of transition.

Following significant funding reductions in 2025, PPL made the difficult decision to eliminate dedicated humanities and gallery programming staff. Without intervention, one of Providence’s most visible and accessible exhibition spaces -the Joan T. Boghossian Exhibition Gallery – risked going dark at a time when artists across the region are facing fewer opportunities to show their work.

Rather than allow that to happen, PPL invited a cohort of trusted cultural partners – AS220, OPEN, and ACT – to share in the responsibility of curating and programming these spaces. Together, this group is working collaboratively to present exhibitions, support artists, and ensure that the Library remains an active and welcoming platform for creative expression.

Each organization contributes its own perspective and expertise, while sharing responsibility for artist selection, exhibition development, installation, and coordination with PPL’s communications team.

This collaboration is rooted in a shared belief that Providence is an incredibly vibrant arts community and that accessible, public-facing exhibition space is essential to that ecosystem.

If you are interested in proposing an exhibition or project, please fill out this form.  Please note that, at this time, funding for honoraria and production support is limited.

The Gallery is open during PPL’s operating hours, which you can find on their website here.

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NOW ON VIEW:

PARIS+FRIENDS

Honoring the legacy of our friend and colleague Adrian “Paris” Fernandez, this group exhibition features the work of over 60 artists who all worked with Paris in various times and spaces over the last decade+.  The exhibition pays homage to Paris by mirroring his style – invitation, collaboration, and determination — and highlights Paris’ artwork alongside the many friends who collaborated with him over the years – past, present and future.  

Thank you to everyone who brought your work and came to the April 4 celebration. The space was a testament to our friend in all his vibrant, multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural, brilliance.

The Joan T. Boghossian Exhibition Gallery
150 Empire Street, 3rd Floor, Providence, Rhode Island
March 2 – May 3, 2026
Reception April 4, 6-9pm