On The Table
March - June 2017
A meal at a table anchors us to our daily lives.
Rustic or grand, with family or with strangers -- the routine, the traditions, the etiquette roots us to the food and people who share a meal with us.
This exhibition examines changes in American foodways and dining culture over nearly 200 years through the lens of table settings. Visitors to PPL will be immersed in this year’s exhibition upon entering the Library on Empire Street, including an art installation by PPL’s 2017 Creative Fellow Keri King, who will also present an artist’s talk and collage workshop on April 30. The main exhibition is located in the Providence Journal Rhode Island Room on level 1, and related displays can be found in the Reference area on level 1.
Related displays include:
- World War I and II propaganda posters addressing food shortages and rationing
- Recipes from Home: Rhode Island immigrant-created food stories related through art
- Children’s art projects from participating Rhode Island Food Bank Kids Cafe sites
- Money Smart Week: Bank of America Financial Literacy Information
On The Table - Exhibition Installation and Reception Photos
On The Table Catalog
Exhibition Partners
Academy of Career Exploration
EduHealth: Advancing Equity in Education —Health-Related Social Determinants of Education
The Academy for Career Exploration and Roger Williams University collaborated to present an educator panel and discussion of the documentary Unnatural Causes. Public is invited to join education, business and community leaders to explore new ways to inspire positive outcomes for students; our 21st century workforce. Many factors affect the quality of education. The EduHealth forum will explore the social determinants of education.
Bank of America
Provided funding as a sponsor of On the Table Programs.
Genesis Center
Teen Squad: Culinary Arts Program Series jointly presented by PPL and the Genesis Center
Teens in grades 7 - 12 engage in a two-week, hands-on culinary arts training led by professional chefs from the Genesis Center. Participants learn cooking techniques, menu preparation, dining etiquette and experience a tasting menu from Capital Grille. As part of the kitchen safety portion of the workshop, participants have the opportunity to earn a ServSafeⓇ Food Handler Certificate.
Hope and Main
Meet Your Maker Rhode Show at PPL
Hope & Main brings the Meet Your Maker indoor market featuring their member companies to PPL. Market-goers enjoy a lively, bustling marketplace filled to the brim with delicious food and drinks! Meet Your Maker is an opportunity for the community to take a peek inside Rhode Island’s food manufacturing economy.
Lippitt House Museum
Author Sarah Lohman discusses her new book Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine with Chef Joshua Riazi creating recipes from the book.
Regency Plaza
Families Cooking Together Program Series - Hosted at Regency Plaza
Working with a local chef, children and their families will learn about planning, preparing, and eating healthy, delicious foods. Each of the four sessions will focus on a specific meal -- breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/desserts/drinks. Families will create a recipe book with the recipes they prepare as well as recipes suggested by their classmates that incorporate family, cultural and ethnic traditions.
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Exhibition partner — Children’s art display at PPL.
Rhode Island Historical Society
Program promotions partner.
Roger Williams University
EduHealth: Advancing Equity in Education — Health-Related Social Determinants of Education
Food Recovery in Rhode Island: A panel discussion hosted by RWU.
Join Rhode Island universities in the fight against food waste!
Across the country, colleges and universities have made formal commitments to reducing food waste and improving food recovery. This panel brings together representatives from community agencies, local government and Rhode Island college and universities to explore strategies for a more coordinated food recovery response in our state.
URI Master Gardening Program
From Seed to Table Program Series: Learn from URI Master Gardeners
Eight-session “On-Ramp” series from March – October, presented with PPL.