A vibrant creative movement led by visionary Elvira Orozco is poised to take place in the Valley neighborhood. With a passion for fostering connections and celebrating artistic expression, Orozco is transforming 301 Harris Avenue into a hub of creativity through her latest initiative, Now or Never: Hobby Hub + Social Club.
“301 Harris Avenue is perfect for what Now or Never represents: nurturing creativity, fostering innovation, and uplifting our neighborhood,” Orozco says. She envisions the space as a cornerstone of the neighborhood’s revitalization, bringing together art, culture, and community under one roof. Her vision is to make self-expression accessible to all by offering affordable, self-paced workshops and activities for all skill levels. Live music events and interactive experiences will also take place there. “We’re removing barriers so that more people can experience the joy of creating.”
Beyond crafting and artistic exploration, Orozco is determined to honor diverse voices, forge meaningful connections, and provide a welcoming space for all. Drawing on her personal journey of overcoming creative doubts, she aims to inspire others to embrace their potential. “Everyone starts somewhere, and we want to be that ‘somewhere,’” she says. Now or Never not only redefines how locals engage with art but also challenges the idea of what it means to be a creative, whether it means painting, crafting, music, or simply gathering to share ideas. “We’re not just making arts and crafts. We’re building a community where art, ideas, and people thrive together.”
Collaboration is also central to the project. Plans are already underway to partner with local artists and organizations, and their Kickstarter campaign was recently funded to help the vision become a reality. “Together, we can create something truly meaningful,” Orozco emphasizes. For the latest updates, follow along on Instagram at @noworneverpvd. – Jenna Kaplan
On January 27, South Court Street was designated a one-way street from Benefit Street to North Main Street, and North Court Street became a one-way from North Main to Benefit. This long-awaited change alleviates the challenge of traveling on these very narrow streets. After discussing the situation with the neighbors, the city agreed to make the change. Other streets are being contemplated for one-way designation, but residents have explained the importance of two-way availability on most of those.
The Mile of History Association continues to advocate for a sensible resolution to the dangerous intersection at Angell, Thomas, and Benefit streets. So far, a speed camera has been installed, and city engineers are considering other remedies, such as widening the sidewalks. The existing jersey barriers would be replaced with deflecting highway railings.
The Summit Neighborhood Association (SNA) extends thanks to this year’s Snow Brigade volunteers, who have helped elderly and disabled neighbors who have difficulty clearing their walks and driveways. A total of 20 regular and five alternate volunteers served 11 neighbors in need this winter, coordinated by Britt Page, who has managed the brigade for several years. Looking ahead to warmer days, SNA is excited to celebrate the Summit Community Garden’s 10th Anniversary this year. Watch for notices about an upcoming neighborhood celebration planned for this month.
An Elmwood neighbor, Diego Arene-Morley, recently published original research in the Providence Eye that indicates school absences decrease by up to 28 percent in elementary schools with the greatest number of Latino staff. This finding is explored within the context of the Dual Language (DL) learning model, in which students “receive equal instructional time in English and a second language, like Spanish, across all subjects, throughout the school year.”
Arene-Morley explains that only 5 percent of all Providence Public School District students receive DL education, and the city only has two public immersive DL schools. “It may seem counterintuitive at first, but according to experts, mastering your first language significantly improves your ability to master a second,” he explains. “That’s the power of the young brain. And of course, for subjects like math and science, learning in your home language makes it much easier to understand academic subjects.” Students in Leviton Dual Language School, located off Elmwood Avenue in South Providence, outperformed average math scores both state- and city-wide according to the RI Comprehensive Assessment System. Many of these students speak only Spanish at home. – Jennifer Dalton Vincent, Elmwood Newsletter
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here