by Isabelle Camoin ’26 on December 11, 2025
News
The Community Lens Exhibition took place in the Smith Hill Annex on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Community Lens is an interdisciplinary, team-taught course at Providence College offered by the art, art history, global studies, and public and community service studies departments. The exhibition was a showcase of the class’ work and stories, bringing the community together to share and appreciate the work done throughout the semester.
For those who aren’t familiar, the Smith Hill Annex is a space off-campus on Douglas Avenue for the Providence College and local community to share.
The projects showcased the stories and perspectives of members of the community. Students were asked to use digital photography to engage and interpret their sense of community with residents of Providence. Some highlights were the work of Shelley Peterson, City Councilwoman of the 14th Ward, members of the Wanskuck Library, and owners of local businesses.
The display showcased the power of photography in shedding light on the community and the lives within it, giving attendees the opportunity to learn more about the lives of those outside the PC community. Filled with excitement and a shared sense of community, the exhibition was a great place to engage in dialogue about what it means to be a member of the greater Providence community and understand the people who share it with us. Attendees consisted of students, those who were interviewed for the exhibits, and other intrigued members of the community.
Tessa Medeiros ’26 MC’d the event, introducing each exhibit and giving space for those who were interviewed to share words of gratitude, fulfilling the desire to build a bridge between the college and local community. Many expressed having not had the opportunity to truly engage with the college community, which can largely be attributed to the development of the Annex. Hopefully, we continue to see this work effectively and positively.