Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it has a grand story to tell. It wasn’t just shaped by Roger Williams; it emerged from the contributions of diverse thinkers and pioneers. This narrative explores how different groups and their bold ideas came together to create a place where people could freely practice their beliefs […]
Between paper-bound streets, a young man sits at a small desk. Around him are amassed towers of books, each title like a glowing yellow window in an elusive night. The book is a beacon of comfort in the dark, akin to the sight of a roaming silhouette traveling through the light canvas of city windows […]
Politically speaking, Rhode Island has always been a difficult place to pin down. Founded by Roger Williams, a radical Christian who was thrown out of the more respectable colony of Massachuttes, RI welcomed and all but rewarded the waspish elite. This is just one of the many contradictions that populate the state’s character. In May, […]
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 art. Its meticulous attention to detail invites you in for careful study. If you know a lot about Lovecraft, you can keep a tally of […]
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. “Some signature styles are in 1870 or Civil War-era showcases, but we focus on more than one era,” explains Captain Brian Travers. “We’re showcasing 20-30 […]
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 New England sports fans were waiting for. Over eight decades, the fall refrain for Red Sox fans was always the same. “Wait ‘til next year.” […]
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 is family here! “We survived COVID, having bought the diner from the original owners just a few months before COVID hit,” says proprietor Desi Wolf. […]
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 anniversary edition. This is his story. In the beginning, there was the NewPaper and Nice Paper. It was a friendly rivalry between Rhode Island-based alternative […]
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 from the period 1950-2000. They offer community gathering spaces in order to preserve the vibrant past of local Lesbians, encourage present-day learning and discovery, and […]
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 two Rhode Island celebrities, one modern day, one from decades past: Taylor Swift and Rebekah Harkness. These two women, whose considerable fortunes have shaped their […]