Motif Magazine

12/14/2025

The Westerly Museum of American Impressionism has officially opened its doors, showcasing more than 150 works from the Sculco Collection. Curator Catherine Shotick says the response has been “blowing us away” as visitors take in scenes of New England life from the 1880s–1920s.

Read the full article by Maureen O’Gorman in our latest “Future” Issue or online here:
https://motifri.com/westerly-museum-of-american-impressionism-bridging-the-arts-community-across-ri/

Visit Thurs–Sun in Westerly
tickets at wmairi.org

Painting: ‘Good Harbor Beach’ by Louise Upton Brumback.

12/14/2025

At Providence, a weak storm system is expected to bring 3 – 5 inches of snow Sun 1am – 9am. A Winter Weather Advisory Sat 10pm – Sun 7pm covers RI south of Providence, including Bristol, Kent, and Washington Counties, but technically not Providence per se.

Current probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 98%, 1in 94%, 2in 84%, 4in 51%, 6in 24%, 8in 6%, 12in near 0%. The most likely scenario is that snow will begin Sun 1am and continue as all snow, with almost no chance of mixing with or changing to rain; the bulk of accumulation will occur during the earlier part of the storm, snow tapering off before ending Sun 9am although some straggling snow could continue as late as 9pm.

A stream of cold and dry air from the north is expected to keep nearly all accumulation toward the south, with somewhat higher amounts along the southern coast, the opposite of the familiar nor’easter. That mass of air will result in temperatures falling into the teens overnight Sun into Mon, reaching down to 14°F immediately before sunrise and Mon afternoon high 27°F. After another cold night Mon into Tue, dropping to 21°F, warming will bring afternoon highs Wed 44°F and Thu 45°F.

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, the site of the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, snow is expected to end hours before the Sun 1pm kickoff time, temperature 30°F and snowfall on the ground a dusting to 1 inch.

https://motifri.com/wx-2025-12-14-000est/

On Posted on December 14, 2025December 14, 2025 by Michael Bilow to Featured, Nationally relevant, Weather Featured First Snow of Season in RI Likely Early Sun: Accumulation 3 – 5 inches expected By Michael Bilow on December 14th, 2025 Winter Weather Advisory in effect from December 13, 10:00 PM E...

12/14/2025

By Michael Bilow on December 13th, 2025

Two were killed and another eight were injured in a shooting shortly after 4pm Sat, Dec 13, at the Barus and Holley Building, 184 Hope St, Providence, the engineering and physics department headquarters on the Brown University campus. As of 11pm, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the shooter remains at large and unidentified, and a “shelter in place” precaution remains in effect for the campus and surrounding area.

Providence Police supplied to Motif a surveillance video taken from the exterior of the Barus and Holley Building, showing a man considered the suspect walking north on Hope Street and turning right to walk east on Waterman Street. The suspect is seen wearing dark clothing, including a hat and gloves, and is never facing the camera. No other “useful”video has yet been identified by police, although they are actively reviewing other footage.

All of the shooting victims were students, confirmed Brown President Christina Paxson, and were being treated at RI Hospital. Of the eight surviving victims, one is reported in critical condition, six are reported in “critical but stable” condition, and one is reported in stable condition.

Smiley said the city is not at this time recommending cancellation of events, and the police will deploy a heavy protective presence. Reportedly, Trinity Rep canceled their Sat evening show and Providence Place Mall closed early on Sat. However, a concert with an estimated 12,000 attendees went ahead as scheduled at the Amica Mutual Pavilion (Civic Center) with an enhanced police presence.

RI Gov. Daniel McKee said that he has spoken with President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel, who offered assistance. The FBI has set up a web tip line – fbi.gov/brownuniversityshooting – and Providence Police set up a telephone tip line 401-652-5767. The FBI site allows uploading photo and video files.

UPDATE 6:45am: Brown University has lifted the "shelter in place" order. CNN reports that dozens of police officers raided a (still unnamed) hotel and took into custody a "person of interest" who may or may not be the shooting suspect.

https://motifri.com/brown-university-shooting/

On Posted on December 13, 2025December 13, 2025 by Michael Bilow to News News Two Killed, Eight Injured in Shooting at Brown University: Shooter at-large, campus area under “shelter in place” precaution By Michael Bilow on December 13th, 2025 Two were killed and another eight were injured in a s...

12/13/2025

At Providence, a weak storm system is expected to bring 1 – 3 inches of snow Sat 11pm – Sun 9am. A Winter Weather Advisory Sat 10pm – Sun 7pm covers RI south of Providence, including Bristol, Kent, and Washington Counties, but technically not Providence per se.

Current probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 96%, 1in 82%, 2in 62%, 4in 34%, 6in 14%, 8in 7%, 12in near 0%. The most likely scenario is that snow will begin Sat 11pm and continue as all snow, with almost no chance of mixing with or changing to rain; the bulk of accumulation will occur during the earlier part of the storm, snow tapering off before ending Sun 9am.

A stream of cold and dry air from the north is expected to keep nearly all accumulation toward the south, with somewhat higher amounts along the southern coast, the opposite of the familiar nor’easter. That mass of air will result in temperatures falling into the teens overnight Sun into Mon, reaching down to 15°F immediately before sunrise and Mon afternoon high 27°F. After another cold night Mon into Tue, dropping to 21°F, warming will bring afternoon highs Wed 43°F and Thu 50°F.

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, the site of the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, snow is expected to end hours before the Sun 1pm kickoff time, temperature 30°F and snowfall on the ground a dusting to 1 inch.

On Posted on December 13, 2025December 13, 2025 by Michael Bilow to Featured, Nationally relevant, Weather Featured First Snow of Season in RI Likely Early Sun: Accumulation 1 – 3 inches expected By Michael Bilow on December 13th, 2025 Winter Weather Advisory in effect from December 13, 10:00 PM E...

12/13/2025

“From God’s Hands to… The Warwick Mall”

See Michelangelo’s masterpiece from a whole new angle. John Kotula explores the surprising exhibit in our latest issue.

Read the full story in print, or online at the link below.

On Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by John Kotula to Art, Fine Arts Art From God’s Hand to… the Warwick Mall: Visit the Sistine Chapel at eye level By John Kotula on December 9th, 2025 Doesn’t the Warwick Mall seem like an unlikely location for a photographic recreation of The Sisti...

12/13/2025

At Providence, a weak storm system is expected to bring 1 – 3 inches of snow Sat 11pm – Sun 10am. A Winter Weather Advisory Sat 10pm – Sun 7pm covers RI south of Providence, including Bristol, Kent, and Washington Counties, but technically not Providence per se.

Current probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 94%, 1in 77%, 2in 62%, 4in 34%, 6in 18%, 8in 8%, 12in near 0%. The most likely scenario is that snow will begin Sat 11pm and continue as all snow, with almost no chance of mixing with or changing to rain; the bulk of accumulation will occur during the earlier part of the storm, snow tapering off before ending Sun 10am.

A stream of cold and dry air from the north is expected to keep nearly all accumulation toward the south, with somewhat higher amounts along the southern coast, the opposite of the familiar nor’easter. That mass of air will result in temperatures falling into the teens overnight Sun into Mon, reaching down to 15°F immediately before sunrise and Mon afternoon high 27°F. After another cold night Mon into Tue, dropping to 21°F, warming will bring afternoon highs Wed 43°F and Thu 46°F.

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, the site of the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, snow is expected to end hours before the Sun 1pm kickoff time, temperature 30°F and snowfall on the ground a dusting to 1 inch.

On Posted on December 13, 2025December 13, 2025 by Michael Bilow to Featured, Nationally relevant, Weather Featured First Snow of Season in RI Likely Early Sun: Accumulation 1 – 3 inches expected By Michael Bilow on December 13th, 2025 Winter Weather Advisory in effect from December 13, 10:00 PM E...

12/12/2025

Rhode Island showed up strong in Marc Clark’s “Best of 2025” picks, with local favorites like Lookers, Atlantic Thrills, ‘92 Winona, Crash Space, Mark Cutler, and Throwing Muses making the list. Who were your Rhode Island favorites this year?

Check out Clarkin’s full list of favorite albums, shows, and Christmas songs of the year at the link below!

On Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by Marc Clarkin to Featured, Music, Subterranean Jungle Featured Subterranean Jungle: Hol-i-dazes Best of 2025 By Marc Clarkin on December 9th, 2025 Crash Space It’s that time of year where every as**at wants to spew their “Best of whatever year” l...

12/12/2025

At Providence, a weak storm system is expected to bring 1 – 2 inches of snow Sun, 1am – 1pm.

Current probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 83%, 1in 59%, 2in 44%, 4in 24%, 6in 14%, 8in 6%, 12in near 0%. The most likely scenario is that snow will begin Sun 1am and continue as all snow, with almost no chance of mixing with or changing to rain; the bulk of accumulation will occur during the earlier part of the storm, snow tapering off before ending 1pm.

A stream of cold and dry air from the north is expected to keep nearly all accumulation toward the south, with somewhat higher amounts along the southern coast, the opposite of the familiar nor’easter. That mass of air will result in temperatures falling into the teen overnight Sun into Mon, reaching down to 14°F immediately before sunrise and afternoon high 26°F. After another cold night Mon into Tue, dropping to 19°F, warming will bring afternoon highs Wed 33°F and Thu 42°F.

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, the site of the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, snow is expected to end an hour or two before the Sun 1pm kickoff time, temperature 30°F and snowfall on the ground a dusting to 1 inch.

On Posted on December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 by Michael Bilow to Featured, Nationally relevant, Weather Featured First Snow of Season in RI Likely Early Sun: Accumulation 1 – 2 inches expected By Michael Bilow on December 12th, 2025 At Providence, a weak storm system is expected to bring 1 – ...

12/11/2025

Perfect for all ages…a cherished holiday tradition returns with sparkle, magic, and Rhode Island flair. Join Clara on her enchanting journey from a festive Christmas Eve party to the dazzling Land of Sweets, where toy soldiers battle, snowflakes swirl, and dreams dance to life.

With stunning choreography by Yury Yanowsky, beloved Tchaikovsky music, and a cast of Ballet RI company dancers and local youth, THE NUTCRACKER is a timeless celebration of wonder, imagination, and the joy of the season.

For tickets, head to:
www.thevetsri.com/events/detail/the-nutcracker-25

12/11/2025

Our Future Issue cover comes from Providence Illustrator John Gendron, whose art blends everyday moments and Providence history into vivid 3D worlds.

Check out the full story by John Picinich in our Future issue.

On Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by John Picinich to Featured, On the Cover Featured ON THE COVER: John Gendron By John Picinich on December 9th, 2025 “I make art in the same way you walk, or breathe, or eat a meal,” says illustrator and designer John Gendron of Providence, who crea...

12/10/2025

It's future time - check out our last issue of the year!