Stories & Insights

Unique Artistic Collaboration to Benefit Crossroads Unveiled

Crossroads hosts an inspiring event at the Providence Art Club featuring a panel discussion led by new Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO David Cicilline.

October 26, 2023

Left to right: Umberto Crenca, Michael Fine, M.D., Karen Santilli, David Cicilline

On October 25th, 2023, Crossroads held an inspiring event at the Providence Art Club. Rhode Island Foundation President & CEO David Cicilline led a panel discussion alongside local artist Umberto Crenca, local author and medical professional Michael Fine, M.D. and Crossroads CEO Karen Santilli.

Focused on the broader issue of homelessness, the discussion also covered the unique artistic collaboration between Crenca and Fine titled "The Sad and Lonely Death of Katydid Desrosiers" - a short story that explores one woman's descent into homelessness.

I knew that people might lose their lives and so I channelled this anger and used it to fuel my writing.

- Michael Fine, M.D.

The end result is a limited-edition, signed, and numbered book packaged with five full-color prints of Providence street scenes created by Crenca. The pair have donated the book to Crossroads to help support its Roads to Home Campaign, an initiative to create nearly 300 permanent supportive apartments in Providence for adults experiencing homelessness.

During the event, it was announced that the next 100 people who contribute $1,000 or more to Crossroads' Roads to Home Capital Campaign will receive a copy of Fine and Crenca's book as thanks for their support. To make a donation online, visit our donate page below and select Roads to Home Capital Campaign as the donation designation.

Make a $1,000 Gift to Receive a Copy!

Return to all articles