‘Holding Space pt. 1’ features Sons of Jacob synagogue

“Holding Space pt. 1” is a documentary photo exhibition and storytelling event about the historic Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Smith Hill. This one-night-only pop-up exhibition and event at the Smith Hill Community Library will feature original artworks by Zo Baker and historical artifacts from the synagogue in conjunction with a live storytelling event highlighting stories of historic Jewish Smith Hill and centered around themes of collective memory, migration and personal identity. 

This is the first in a series centered around the Sons of Jacob Synagogue as a site for activation and conversation around issues of collective memory, agency, migration, loss and renewal. The next stage of the project will feature an open call for artist commissions of site-specific live performances and installations that will take place inside the synagogue over the course of summer and fall 2025. The open call will welcome local Providence-based artists of all backgrounds and mediums with an emphasis on supporting artists based in and with personal histories in Smith Hill. Baker is presenting and curating the project.

Zo Baker is an artist, curator and educator exploring themes of memory, ritual and Jewish culture through community-centered social practice. They’re interested in exploring ideas about personal identity through objects, architecture, mining archives and storytelling. Baker has worked for the last decade developing and facilitating arts-focused programming for non-profits, creating spaces that cultivate excitement for inquiry and a sense of play through making, talking and often eating. 

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Baker received their BFA in Sculpture from SUNY New Paltz and MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. They currently live in Providence and recently finished a term as artist and curator in residence at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. They currently serve as the curator for the Rhode Island Jewish Museum. You can find their work online at zoepeninabaker.net.

The pop-up exhibition and event is Wednesday April 2, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Libraries of Providence: Smith Hill Library, 31 Candace St., Providence.