The Florentine Faire started in 1975 and ran for 10 years.  It drew tens of thousands of people the City of Providence for one weekend a year and put on display for all to see that PICA’s community and creativity based values are also a recipe for success.  Each event was entirely planned, built, run by volunteers.  Every Florentine stage featured performing artists from all over the world and from the different cultural communities in Providence.

The Salute to Children ran for two years at the Temple of Music in Roger Williams Park.  Providence school children were bussed in with their teachers and PICA hosted a day of kid friendly activities and fun, for free.

PICA has hosted numerous art festivals during its existence, including our first ever event at the Benefit Street Arsenal.  Any artist that wanted to take part could.  Sometimes PICA would use some (or all) of the proceeds from these events to further support their community.

In partnership with the Rhode Island Historical Society, PICA worked to honor artists that lived and worked in Rhode Island between 1950 and 2000.  The resulting show featured over 100 pieces by over 80 sculptors, painters, and photographers that have contributed to the vibrant creative community that still thrives in Rhode Island today.

Jazz has always been a staple in PICA programming.  Jazz on a Sunday gave people the opportunity to relax and read the paper on the John Brown House Lawn.  The Jazz City series included concerts and discussions around the Celebrity Club (RI’s only integrated club), women in jazz, and jazz in the movies.  Later in its history at The Roots Cafe, PICA hosted internationally recognized artists while still maintaining a space for local and budding jazz musicians to share their talents.