Summer in the City of Providence
Here's how to keep cool on the sizzling hot streets of the Creative Capital.
Cousins Avery Francisco, left, and Jola Fox enjoy ice cream at Hope Creamery on Branch Avenue. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
We get it: We’re the Ocean State. And while Rhode Island and its beautiful beaches go together like Del’s and a ninety-degree day, there’s still something about summer in the city: the thump of merengue as WaterFire braziers flicker in the background, the swish of a basketball hoop at the local court and the pounding of little footsteps as families revel in the summer air. Last summer, photographer Wolf Matthewson captured it all, scouring the city from morning until night to uncover Providence in all her summer glory. So enjoy these scenes from our Creative Capital. They might even make you think twice next time you plan to brave the beach traffic on Route 4.
Gondolier Matthew “Marcello” Haynes, owner of La Gondola, has been navigating the Providence River for the past twenty-three years. He learned to sing from his choir director mother and now performs favorites like “Santa Lucia” and “Tanti Auguri” for patrons. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Providence Police officers Jose Mendez and Taft Manzotti Jr. ride Prince and Reilly downtown. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Benny Klaus scoots across the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge while out with his parents. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Noelle Harris bikes daily from College Hill across the George Redman Linear Park on the Washington Bridge for exercise. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Sisters Lorraine and Ashley Guerra paint with Ilia Vargas in the shade of a tree at India Point Park. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Kirsten and Rob Murphy enjoy some time on their East Side front porch with their kids, Mack and Quinn, and French bulldogs, Cricket and Moose. “We let people know we’re welcoming,” Kirsten says. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Joseph DeLeon and his sister, Angela (behind him), cool down at the A. Vincent Igliozzi Recreation Center water park. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Anita Louis Lester tries to fill her water bottle at the Joslin Recreation Center water park. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Jose Parece and his friend, Alex Perez, both longtime Providence residents, enjoy a beer in the West End. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Jose “Mr. Face” Maldonado dances in front of a neighborhood art installation by artist Evans Molina at 13 Bond St. off Atwells Avenue. Maldonado is the founder and executive director of Project 401, a group dedicated to building community through hip-hop music and the arts. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Toya Tanaka practices his swing at the Summit Avenue Playground. Tanaka moved to Providence from Japan four years ago with his dad, Shingo. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Bob Elliott performs as part of Sundial at the Hope Street Farmers Market at Lippitt Park. The band plays Appalachian, New England and Quebecois music. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Farmer Richard Pederson, City Farm steward at the Southside Community Land Trust, is surrounded by produce at the Hope Street Farmers Market. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Oscar the bulldog strolls outside the Gold Vintage booth at the Providence Flea. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
William Shavers, a loyal Mr. Lemon customer for more than twenty years, buys a frozen lemonade from Colleen Rao. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Brother and sister Andres and Luisa Montoya dance the samba on the Steeple Street Bridge during WaterFire. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Aron Ringgold has been skating since 1995 and enjoys participating in Roller Disco nights at the Providence Rink. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Boris & Sax performs for passersby on the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge. Originally from Ukraine, he is raising money for Danube International Company, a nonprofit organization that provides aid for families in Ukraine. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Henry Foley and Jane Tuckerman share a kiss at WaterFire. The couple has been married twice, first for eight years and the second time for the past twenty-three years. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Andy Andujar and his son, Andy Manuel David Andujar, fish on the pier at India Point Park. Andujar has been fishing at the park since the 1980s. It was his first year teaching his son to do the same. “I wanted to pass the torch down,” he says. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Joey Andreozzi throws to get closest to the pallina in a game of bocce with friends on Federal Hill. Andreozzi is a member of “the Originals” who grew up together on the Hill in the fifties. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Nazir Rodriguez, Andy Nolesco, Daniel Cordero and Jowell Robinson play basketball on the corner of Public and Plain streets. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
A couple sits at the counter at Haven Brothers Diner. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
Steven “Beanie” Stanton jumps his skateboard over Connor Champagne at the Neutaconkanut Park skate park. Photography by Wolf Matthewson
