Field Report

Appreciating the craft of wallpaper design in Providence, RI

Thursday, March 8, 2025
RISD Museum, Providence, RI

Last week, CoDesign Collaborative members, with Board and Council leadership took the train to Providence to visit The Art of French Wallpaper Design at the RISD Museum before it closed on May 12, 2025. The exhibition explored the vibrant and surprising designs that adorned walls in the 1700s and 1800s, presenting more than one-hundred rare and striking samples of salvaged wallpapers, borders, fragments, and design drawings. Our group was taken by the creative process and technical skills involved in producing the wallpaper panels, from wood block engraving to hand painting neoclassical architectural fantasies, lush florals, and exotic vistas. The decorative, storytelling backdrops bridged fine art and industrial design.

After the museum visit, we took a short walk to Providence’s newest culinary hotspot: Track 15, a vibrant food hall located in the repurposed train shed of the former Union Station. We shared drinks and conversation about the exhibition, design, and historic preservation before heading back to Boston. It was a lovely evening and a welcome opportunity to connect with fellow members and creatives.

Stay tuned for more insights and updates from CoDesign Collaborative Field Trips—design-curious explorations in Boston, MA, Portland, OR and the Bay Area. If you have a recommendation for a Field Trip or are interested in hosting the CoDesign Collaborative community in your space, send us a note at info@codesigncollaborative.org. We look forward to collaborating with you!

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Liana Mestas
Deputy Director
CoDesign Collaborative