Tuesday, August 11, 2026

TOPICS

Art & Culture

Washington Trust sponsors Aug. 5 Summer Pops concert in Providence

PROVIDENCE – The Washington Trust Co. will sponsor the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra's annual Summer Pops concert, helping bring the free outdoor performance back...
SUPPLIES AND SCHOOLING: Maureen van Herpe is the owner and operator of Wood Items & More in Smithfield, where she sells various craft items and teaches sewing, decorative painting, crocheting and quilting classes. 
PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Crafting a community one class at a time

For more than three decades, Maureen van Herpe has built Wood Items & More into both a craft store and a classroom. At her shop...
Josef Blazar became owner and president of Blazing Editions in East Greenwich in 2016. The fine art printmaker was started by his father, Alan Blazer, 30 years ago. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Stay curious

Josef Blazar | Blazing Editions owner, president One of the most valuable lessons I have learned as president of Blazing Editions is that growth rarely...
IN PROGRESS: Co-owner Eric Smallwood works with a product at tableware manufacturer Myrth Ceramics in East Providence.
PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Meet the Makers: Myrth Ceramics looks to scale up

(Editor’s note: This is the 46th installment in a monthly series highlighting some of the region’s unsung manufacturers that make products essential to the...

Kinepolis reaches agreement to acquire 13 Showcase Cinemas theaters

WARWICK – Belgian-based Kinepolis Group NV has reached an agreement to acquire 13 Showcase Cinemas locations in the U.S., including the one at 1200...
TICKLING THE IVORIES: Rebekah Zabinski, center, and Esther Zabinski, right, music teachers and owners of Zabinski Music School in Pawtucket, work with Guy Marini, who has been studying for two to five years and is now writing his own music.
PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Music school strikes a chord as sisters carry on family legacy...

Growing up as the daughters of two music teachers, Rebekah Zabinski and Esther Zabinski had a front-row seat to the value of music education. “We...
DYNAMIC DUO: Erik Brine, left, and Rob Raymond, co-founders of Operation Encore, at their office in Jamestown. The nonprofit provides opportunities for veteran and active-duty singer-songwriters and musicians to take their music to the next level, offering artist development, professional recording and educational services.
PBN PHOTO/­ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Operation Encore helps provide a second act for veterans turned musicians

Afterleaving active duty, U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Erik Brine didn’t know exactly what he would pursue next, but he was sure of two...
Rock-solid rebrand: Kelly Taylor renamed her studio, formerly Kelly Taylor Interior Design, to Rocksalt Studio to better reflect the multiple designers and contributors to each project. 
PBN PHOTO/­ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Raw, refined and rooted in Providence

PBN Business Women Awards 2026 INDUSTRY LEADER | CREATIVE SERVICES: Kelly Taylor, Rocksalt Studio principal and creative director Kelly Taylor, the owner and operator of Rocksalt Studio,...
ICONIC PIECE: Artist Brendan Murphy is pictured with his BOONJI astronaut, a character who launches and never returns after landing in the BOONJI galaxy. Murphy started his latest tour in Providence with his Love Matters sculptures, the first of which was unveiled April 30 at Brown University near where he grew up.
COURTESY BRENDAN MURPHY

Artist Brendan Murphy unveils Love Matters sculpture in Providence

BRENDAN MURPHY has made a name for himself on the international art stage and in May the contemporary artist and Providence native returned home...

R.I. Senate confirms 4 new members to Rhode Island State Council...

PROVIDENCE – Four new members have been appointed to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts following nominations by Gov. Daniel J. McKee...
- Featured Event -

Latest News