Smith Hill Vision, Concrete Dreams

---

"Smith Hill Visions, Concrete Dreams" was a community public art  project in Providence, Rhode Island. The project addressed issues about  Rhode Island's native animal species and public verses private space as  it relates to the placement of public art. The project was created  during the summer of 2002.

The intent of "Smith Hill Visions, Concrete Dreams" was to create  awareness about Rhode Island's threatened and endangered species and the  loss of their natural habitat. The Rhode Island Department of  Environmental Management lists 82 vertebrates and 59 invertebrates on  the Rare Native Animals of Rhode Island List.

The Smith Hill neighborhood in Providence was selected as the site.  200 concrete lawn statues representing various animal species selected  from ones listed as threatened, endangered, or extirpated in Rhode  Island were modeled, molded and cast. The species used include: Atlantic  Salmon, Atlantic Sturgeon, Northern Harrier, Barn Owl, Bobcat, Northern  Diamondback Terrapin, Atlantic Green Turtle, Eastern Spadefoot Toad,  American Burying Beetle, Pied-billed Grebe and Upland Sandpiper. The  selected animal species were cast varying in scale from smaller to  larger than life, using traditional lawn ornaments as a reference. The  lawn statues were placed in the yards of any willing participants in the  neighborhood.

The project was commissioned by the City of Providence's Office of  Cultural Affairs for the Convergence 2002 International Arts Festival.  The Smith Hill Community Development Corporation generously assisted in  the administration of "Smith Hill Visions, Concrete Dreams". They  provided the 5 car garage used as studio and secured the YouthRap grant  from the city that paid the kids in the neighborhood who assisted in  casting and placing the pieces.