Building new shelves for our Centers.
Community Builder-in-Residence (CBIR) Lawrence Sene was a modern day renaissance man – he was a carpenter, writer, muralist, community organizer, friend and father. Serving as a CBIR from November 2013 to September 2014, he was dedicated to his hometown of Woonsocket and its youth. Upon his passing in January of 2014, our Community Building and Engagement Department began working on a way to memorial Lawrence and honor his service to the Constitution Hill neighborhood of Woonsocket.
About Lawrence Sene
After graduating from Woonsocket High School, Lawrence left to attend the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. A skilled artist, he excelled in drawing, painting, illustration, print making and model building. Lawrence went on to make a living in the construction field where he owned his own company specializing in carpentry, flooring, masonry, and painting.
Lawrence moved back to Woonsocket in 2013. A common friend and local artist, Bonnie Turner, connected him to our organization. Lawrence was amazed at how much the City had changed since he left. He marveled at restored architecture like the train station and gushed about the great work of local organizations such as Riverzedge Arts. At the time of his first interview with NWBRV, he looked around the neighborhood wide-eyed. He had actually grown up in our house at 122 Olo Street! He had not seen the neighborhood since it had been redeveloped and couldn’t believe how great it was. Lawrence jokingly called himself “the prodigal son” for returning home to dedicate his talents to a place he couldn’t wait to leave as a teenager.
Lawrence was not only a talented carpenter but a talented and creative artist and writer. His self-written CBIR bio reflected his sense of humor and grasp of the language:
“He’s designed graphics for builders, built offices for graphic designers, made architectural models, faux-finished walls into large, abstract paintings, created bobbing T Rex toys and turned a pumpkin into a carriage for Cinderella. Lawrence knows that creation isn’t limited to art and craft; creative action solves problems in all fields every day. As a CBIR, he seeks to develop students’ innate creativity and nurture its use into a habit.”
Lawrence had two teenage daughters who sparked his interest in working with youth and especially loved the awe and excitement children exhibit when they create art.
While serving as a Community Builder-In-Residence, Lawrence worked with the kids to teach them the skills he excelled in such as painting and building. Our kids especially enjoyed Lawrence’s painting and mural design classes. While here, Lawrence completed 3 murals in the basement of the C3 Center and 1 mural on the side of the Art Center. Lawrence was invaluable to our team as we prepared to become DCYF certified. Lawrence painted the inside of the Art Center, completed construction projects, and built the fence enclosing the play yard.
Lawrence also served as Coordinator for our Community Safety Initiative. His attention to detail and creative problem solving skills proved invaluable for this project. The members of the Woonsocket Police Department enjoyed working with Lawrence and invited him on many “ride alongs” to get his perspective on how to address issue areas.
A Memorial Garden
To memorialize Lawrence’s life and all he did to help the youth in our neighborhood, we are dedicating the play yard in the back of the Art Center at 146 Sayles Street in his name. The garden features a variety of sites, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures creating a vibrant, five senses play garden for the youth program participants to enjoy. It is a way that we can show his family, especially his two daughters, that we appreciated the time he spent helping to make his old neighborhood a better place. The Garden was officially dedicated on November 13th, 2015 with Lawrence’s close family and friends in attendance.
