Retro Providence: 1985-1990, City Archives, Providence, Rhode Island (October 14 - December 14, 2016)

Chambers' Photo Coverage of the Mayor's Office and the City of Providence, Rhode Island (1985-1990)

June 20, 2021

Tom R. Chambers was Mayoral and City Photographer for Providence, Rhode Island (1985-1990. He made thousands of exposures over a period of six years, and his coverage (negatives and prints) now resides at City Archives, City Hall, Providence, Rhode Island. Chambers was the first official City/Mayoral Photographer for Providence.

Several images, which were exhibited with others as "Retro Providence: 1985-1990" at City Archives in 2016 follow:

































































Chambers put together "Hot City" in 1989 based on his coverage of Providence, Rhode Island as Personal Photographer to Mayor Joseph R. Paolino, Jr. and City Photographer. At the time, it offered an interesting aspect to historical, visual documentation. Usually, this type of display shows past generations involved in various activities, and the viewer can only attempt to relate to what is perceived as having happened during that particular era. Since "Hot City" involved contemporaries, the viewer may have had personal recall of an activity, may have known and related with an individual in the coverage and in fact, may very well have been a part of the documentation process. The project received a Proclamation from Mayor Joseph R. Paolino, Jr.

Examples:


News coverage: "Portfolio", Sunday Journal Magazine, The Providence Journal-Bulletin (June 25, 1989), Providence, Rhode Island: "Tom Chambers is a documentary photographer who works as an official photographer for the City of Providence. Although his job requires that he photograph officials at public events, he often also focuses on the ordinary people who appear at these gatherings and elsewhere in Providence. In the photographs on these pages, we see moments that wouldn't come across in a 60-second TV news story: a boy waiting for a parade to start; a little boy holding his father's hand; a little boy wearing a police helmet and standing in a crowd of people at a parade; and a girl riding and waving to a crowd. These images are selected from among the 400 prints now appearing in an exhibit of Chambers' work at Hospital Trust National Bank. Entitled 'Hot City', the exhibit continues through August."

Exhibitions

"Providence In Austin" (solo show), G.F. Gallery, Austin, Texas, U.S.A., February 20 - March 12, 1992.




"Hot City" (solo show), Corridor Gallery, Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A. (grant - Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank; accepted as a part of the City of Providence Archives; received a Mayor's Proclamation; listed in American Photo magazine, Notable Exhibitions section, July, 1989 issue), June 16 - August 31, 1989.

Part of the installation at Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank:


Chambers is seen receiving the Proclamation for "Hot City" from Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., Mayor of the City of Providence:


Retro Providence: 1985-1990 - Chambers returned to Providence to showcase a sampling of his coverage as Mayoral and City Photographer for Providence, 1985-1990. The exhibition comprised 60 prints of city activities and its people 31-36 years ago. The coverage over a six-year period is a direct result of a mayor's presence and activity throughout the environs of a city. It is assignment-based via a press secretary's office, City Hall.

The viewers of this exhibit are able to reflect on city environs/activities, and compare yesterday's with today's Providence. For those individuals who were a part of the coverage during that period of time and now, it will undoubtedly hold dear their involvement/participation that comprises this time capsule.

The project is similar to the "Hot City" exhibit that Chambers compiled when he worked for the City of Providence in 1989. At that time, American Photo magazine listed the exhibition in its "Notable Exhibitions" section in their July 1989 issue.

These photographs/prints and all negatives that Chambers made during his tenure are part of City Archives as the "Tom R. Chambers Collection". 

Exhibition:

Corridor Gallery, City Archives, City Hall (Sponsored by Providence City Archives), Providence, Rhode Island, October 14 - December 14, 2016.

Opening (October 14, 2016 [7-9pm]) (Photos by Cho Eunmi and Tom R. Chambers.):















 

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