Do the Right Thing: Lessons from the side of the road
On the side of the road in Pawtucket, in the front yard of artist Gage Prentiss’s studio, stands a larger-than-life statue of H.P. Lovecraft. It is an arresting work of […]
Events:
The Court: Art in Play
September 24, 2025 - April 26, 2026The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea
September 27, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Two Century Strikeout: An interview with PVD’s unique base ball team
The Providence Grays Historic Base Ball Club (the two-word spelling here is intentional and historically correct), established in 1998, recreates the game as it was played in the 19th century. […]
Providence Through the Years: A rambling journey through the year of Motif’s birth
It was twenty years ago today… At the time, we could not have predicted it, but the launch of Motif Magazine in August 2004 might have been the lucky charm […]
Fosters Shady Acres Diner: 50’s nostalgia in a down-home apocalyptic cafe
Shady Acres Diner on Danielson Pike in Foster, Rhode Island, has been a long-time staple with fun, nostalgic ambiance. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner to locals and travelers alike, everyone […]
Beatnik Beginnings: From the streets to the scene
Jim Vickers started Motif Magazine in 2004. He started Motif to give voice to marginalized groups of underrepresented Rhode Islanders. Vickers agreed to write an article for our special 20th […]
In the Archive: Queer ephemera past, present, and future
Wanderground Lesbian Archive & Library A note from Wanderground Lesbian Archive & Library: “Wanderground collects and provides access to a broad selection of New England-based publications, artifacts, and personal memorabilia […]
The Case of Taylor Swift and Rebekah Harkness: How wealth shapes an individual’s role and perception in society
Wealth has a profound impact on an individual’s role and perception within society, providing a platform for influence, control, and legacy building. This dynamic is demonstrated through the lives of […]
Maritime Tattoos: A short history and present significance
While the art of tattooing human skin dates back over 5,000 years, its rich history in maritime culture can be traced more definitively. The earliest reference of the word “tattoo” […]
Talking with Lorén M. Spears
Our state is home to a unique and inspiring institution, the Tomaquag Indigenous Museum in Exeter. The museum is led by executive director Lorén M. Spears, an artist and author […]
A Lifetime of Stories: A conversation with Rhode Island director Christian De Rezendes about his newest, and oldest, project
Behind every abandoned building is a story. Within its walls forgotten voices whisper endless conversations, once-important papers yellow in the sun that sneaks through cracked windows, old time cards sit […]