Office of the Mayor

WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt Reveals New City Art Sculpture and Its Location With a SMILE

WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt disclosed today that the mysterious new art sculpture which the City of Woonsocket collaborated with Riverzedge Arts to create, will be a large, brightly colored, steel construction rendering of the word "SMILE", and that the location of the sculpture will be on the Truman Bypass, on the same side as the bikeway. It is expected that the sculpture will be installed this fall, and that an official public unveiling ceremony will occur soon thereafter. The sculpture was funded with a $10,000 Community Grant that the Mayor and Riverzedge Arts obtained from the Rhode Island Foundation.

Mayor Baldelli-Hunt stated, "A smile is a universal symbol of welcomeness, acceptance, success, and positive feelings, and this SMILE sculpture will visually offer these uplifting attributes to all Woonsocket residents and visitors who pass by. This sculpture will be a comforting piece of art that will immediately lift our spirits, and send us on our way in a better mood, with actual smiles on our faces. It will also present a great photo opportunity for all who travel the bikeway." The Mayor added, "We are pleased to have partnered with Brad Fesmire and Riverzedge Arts, as well as the Rhode Island Foundation, to bring such a fun piece of art into our City, and look forward to future collaborations.

Brad Fesmire, Artistic Director of Riverzedge Arts offered, "This piece of public art will visually activate the Truman Bypass with a positive thought that everyone can enjoy."