Michele Provost grew up in Massachusetts and studied Fine Arts/Painting at UMASS/Dartmouth. Since then, she has always maintained a studio and has exhibited her work consistently. One of her early shows was a two person exhibition at the Providence Central Congregation Church Gallery in 1984. The subject matter of her work has evolved over the years from figurative and still life pieces to abstracted landscapes. Her paintings and drawings are primarily mixed media oil on canvas and acrylic materials on paper.
She moved to Providence, RI in1992 and currently resides in Cranston, RI. Her studio is in Pawtucket, RI.
À Tous Les Enfants 2022-2023
Oils/Mixed Media on Canvas 48″ X 36″
Artist Statement
I began this series, “Here Thinking of There, Now Thinking of Then” while traveling in France. Driving through villages of Brittany, I noticed that the phrase, “À tous les enfants” was often inscribed on war memorials. The literal translation is “To all the children”, which in fact refers to all citizens of the village who died as a result of war. But the thought of the countless children who have been victims in countless wars has remained with me and informs these pieces. I use oils or acrylics and various drawing materials to build up the surface. The shapes and marks refer to a combination of landscapes of home and of France, of maps, military diagrams, blockhouses, cemeteries, flowers, and a French porcelain funerary wreath. The result is not meant to provide answers but to provoke thought and act as a stimulus for further observations.
Additional Info
Artist Website: micheleprovost.com
Instagram: @micheleprovost12
Part of Growing the NetWorks
This artist was selected by a past NetWorks Rhode Island participant as part of Growing the NetWorks — a 2025 exhibition presented by WaterFire Providence, at the WaterFire Arts Center, celebrating peer-nominated artists from across Rhode Island. Learn more at waterfire.org/growingthenetworks
Highlighting the work of selected artists who have played vital roles in shaping the contemporary visual arts community in Rhode Island. This collection of brief video portraits provides a window into the lives, practices, and cultural contributions of professional artists.
