Kidoinfo Storytime + Art in the Park is two children’s programs in one: Storytime hosts local authors, illustrators, storytellers, and performers to inspire a love of reading. Art in the Park brings the books of an iconic children’s book to life through hands-on art projects led by local artist Alison Paul. This year’s Art in the Park theme is “When the Storytime Ends” – poems of Shel Silverstein. The free programs run back-to-back every Thursday from 10:30am-12:30pm.

July 12 // Big Nazo
Providence favorite intergalactic creature troupe, Big Nazo, wanders through Downtown Providence and invades Burnside Park. Sing and dance to their fun and funky songs, and even try on some of Big Nazo’s costumes for a creature dance party.
The poem for Art in the Park is “Where the Sidewalk Ends”
Come kick-off our Shel Silverstein themed Art in the Park by marking-up the Burnside Park walkways with chalk! We’ll provide the sidewalk chalk, you bring your never-ending imaginations!

July 19 // Valerie Tutson
Storyteller Valerie Tutson draws her stories from around the world with an emphasis on African traditions. Valerie joins us each year, and was recently one of the Grand Marshalls of PVDFest 2018.
The poem for Art in the Park is “Homework Machine”
Join Ricky Katowitz this week and make a special helmet that will turn your brain into a real, working, homework machine!

July 26 // The Rainbow Beard Show & Friends
Ricky Katowicz is back in Burnside Park with his Ricky Rainbowbeard Show. He’ll be joined by special friends as they celebrate color, sound, play and everyone.
The poem for Art in the Park is “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out”
Do you dare add to Sarah’s tower of trash? It’s already full of ‘greasy napkins, cookie crumbs, blobs of gooey bubble gum’…what special ingredient can you add to this group collage project?

August 2 // Alison Paul & Jen Corace
Author, illustrator and Art in the Park co-founder Alison Paul reads some of her favorite stories with illustrator Jen Corace Illustration and Stuff. This summer Alison painted a mural on the sides of the Imagination Center inspired by this year’s Art in the Park theme.
The poem for Art in the Park is “Somebody has to Polish the Stars”
Come get your rags and your polishing jars, (and maybe some glitter), and help make our stars shine! Then we’ll hang them and watch them sparkle!

August 9 // Keith Munslow – Musician/Storyteller
Hilarious musician, cartoonist and storyteller, Keith joins us in the park and will have kids and adults singing, dancing and laughing.
The poem for Art in the Park is “The Unicorn”
Noah gathered the green alligators and long-necked geese, some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, some cats and rats and elephants, but not the unicorn! Can you help us make some? We will have the makings for unicorn horns!

August 16 // Len Cabral
Internationally acclaimed Rhode Island storyteller Len Cabral retells African, Cape Verdean and Caribbean folk tales as well as his own original stories and tales from around the world.
The poem for Art in the Park is “Enter this Deserted House”
You’ve all seen the mural painted on the side of our Imagination Center, now will be your chance to finally ENTER that deserted house [mural]! For our finale, the Imagination Center will be transformed, bringing Shel Silverstein’s poem to life! Come add to the fun!