The city of Woonsocket has been embraced by the presence of bright, vivid orange. From banners on buildings, to signs in schools, health clinics, and senior centers, Woonsocket residents are consistently being asked “What song do you think of when you see this color orange?” This is part of a grant funded partnership between artist Lynne Harlow and NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley.
The community is invited to text their orange inspired song suggestions to be played at a culminating community dance party to be held from 7pm-9pm on June 24 at 40 South Main Street, Woonsocket. All the songs played at the event will be orange inspired and community generated. A DJ will then work from a list of all the song suggestions to create a mix that reflects the community.
Artist Lynne Harlow is the brains and artistic talent behind this project. As a practicing visual artist with a strong exhibition history, she produces many site-specific projects, designed to engage their particular locations and communities in carefully considered ways. She frequently explores the intersection of art and music, examining the ways that we experience those sensations simultaneously.
According to Lynne, “I’m presenting a community art project that explores the intersection of color and sound with an emphasis on our personal, deeply subjective associations with songs and colors. What does color sound like? How do your associations with music and color overlap with and differ from mine?”
“In an effort to reach as broad an audience as possible – and to create a dance party that reflects a wide range of ages, ethnicities and backgrounds – we will be spreading the word about the event in Spanish, Laotian, French and Khmer, as well as in English. Posters will be hung in a wide variety of locations, including schools, senior centers, restaurants, parks and health clinics.”
Those interested in participating in or learning more about the project should visit www.WhatSongIsThisColor.com, check out the color orange and text their song inspiration to 401-285-6499.
The Community Dance Party is part of NWBRV’s Creative Placemaking Initiative, a larger effort to support arts and culture in Woonsocket.
NWBRV was previously awarded funds from the Local Initiative Support Corporation for a Creative Placemaking project in downtown Woonsocket. LISC defines Creative Placemaking as “residents coming together to make social, physical and economic changes in their neighborhoods through the arts and culture.” As part of this initiative, NWBRV is making grant funds available for art projects and events by local artists and residents taking place in the planned “ARTech” hub. The ARTech hub spans from the event space at 40 South Main Street to River Falls Restaurant, and also includes River Island Art Park, and several of the surrounding mill buildings currently being redeveloped.
NeighborWorks released their Call for Artists in 2016 and will be accepting applications for new projects until funds are exhausted. Individuals interested in applying should visit: https://neighborworksbrv.org/creative-placemaking/
