UPP Arts

Formerly known as Urban Pond Procession, UPP Arts used public art, history, and science to give community members a voice in the environmental issues that impact their well-being. Focused on Mashapaug Pond and its surrounding South Providence community from 2008-2018, UPP Arts place-based arts programming bore witness to the histories of Mashapaug, including the respectful relationship between Indigenous People and the land and water; a diverse neighborhood displaced in the name of urban renewal; industries providing economic opportunities but also polluting the land, air, and water; and the resulting environmental impact and cleanup.

The UPP Arts Archive is a part of PPL’s Rhode Island Collection, which documents the history and current state of Rhode Island with a focus on the social and cultural history of the City of Providence.

Come engage with selections from the collection and learn more about UPP Arts’ signature approach to local history, education, environmental stewardship, and creating change from a panel of artists, educators, and community members who have been instrumental in the work of UPP.