Riverzedge Arts to celebrate 15th anniversary with Oct. 26 gala

Henderson, Briere to receive awards

WOONSOCKET — On Oct. 26, Riverzedge Arts will be celebrating 15 years of working “to create positive educational and economic outcomes for teens and their communities through artistic expression, disciplined effort, and self-reliance.”

Since its founding in 2002, Riverzedge’s teen programming has provided thousands of youth with out-of-school work readiness training and mentorship, as well as alternative pathways to high school credit attainment that, overall, has better prepared them for higher education and career success.

The celebration will highlight the hallmark elements of Riverzedge’s Arts & Business program, with stu- dio participants leading attendees in hands-on activities, such as: sculpture-making, DIY screenprinting, and Adobe Suite tutorials. Participant and Studio Director art, past and present, will be on display.

The event will feature local talent, with music by Adam Go, liveart performance by Paul Coté, and food and drink provided by Woonsocket Career and Technical Center’s culinary program, under the direction of Chef Paul Jalaf, and Ciro’s Tavern.

Additionally, Riverzedge Arts' will be honoring two individuals with long ties to the organization, and who, in their work and lives, capture the spirit of its mission: to improve lives and places through art, design, and creative problem solving. Woonsocket High School Principal Carnell Henderson will be recognized for his contributions to improving educational outcomes at the high school and his support of Riverzedge Arts programming throughout the years.

“You couldn't have picked a better person for this recognition,” said Woonsocket Education Department Superintendent Patrick McGee. "Mr. Henderson has earned the utmost respect from his students and staff due to his character and love for his school and community."

In his tenure as principal, Henderson has improved the culture, function, and performance at the school, from implementing the school-wide Success 101 program to his dedication to making physical and aesthetic improvements to the building. This summer, Henderson reached out to WHS and Riverzedge alum Justin Dubois, to paint a mural at the school entrance that would reflect the school’s values, including respect and responsibility. Praising Henderson as a role model, Dubois, shared that it was Henderson’s “outlook on my artistic interests that have pushed me to become the positive person I am today.”

Also being recognized is Cumberland native Benjamin Briere. Briere is a former Riverzedge participant and Public Art Lab Studio director. According to Riverzedge Executive Director Karen Barbosa, Briere “embodies all the best components of a Riverzedge alum — artistic pursuit, personal and professional integrity, and is a fully committed Edge-ster, who has given back to both the program and its participants.” After earning his BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, Briere returned to Riverzedge and served as its PAL director, overseeing numerous mural and painting projects, as well as the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities’ supported project: “Stories of Access, Stories of Denial: Civil Rights to Civic Engagement in Northern RI.” Briere presently works for custom business card design company, MOO, and continues to paint and show his work in galleries across the state and region.

Riverzedge Arts invites the public to to their 15th Anniversary celebration at the newly renovated Millrace Kitchen event space, located at 40 South Main Street in Woonsocket, on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.

More information can be found at www.riverzedgearts.org.