City of Providence and LitArts RI Announce Inaugural Literary Festival

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The City of Providence and LitArts RI will host the inaugural Not an Island Literary Festival on January 30 and 31, 2027.

The two-day event aims to celebrate Rhode Island’s literary arts through a series of readings, workshops, and a book fair centered in the Valley Arts District. According to a report from the City of Providence, the festival will utilize two primary locations: Farm Fresh Rhode Island and the LitArts RI headquarters.

“Literature is often thought of as a soloist art form. While writing can be a solitary act, reading has the power to rally communities,” said Joe Wilson Jr., Director of Art, Culture and Tourism for the City of Providence. He said that the festival shows residents are "not islands, but neighbors united by the arts and the power of language.”

The festivities begin on Saturday evening, January 30, with a Night Book Fair at Farm Fresh Rhode Island, located at 10 Sims Ave. The City of Providence reported that this opening event will feature a market curated by local booksellers, publishers, artists, and literary organizations, accompanied by live jazz, world music, and literary-inspired cocktails.

Programming expands on Sunday, January 31, across both the Farm Fresh Rhode Island venue and LitArts RI at 400 Harris Ave. The schedule includes:

  • An all-day Literary Art Market featuring independent booksellers and community organizations.
  • Author presentations covering fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translation.
  • Panel conversations regarding various literary works.
  • Short introductory workshops for writers of all skill levels.
  • Longer craft intensives focused on writing practice and discussion.
  • Informal meet-ups organized around specific genres and interests.

The festival’s placement in the Valley Arts District is a deliberate move to support local creative infrastructure. By anchoring the event in this specific neighborhood, city officials intend to reinforce Providence’s standing as a diverse creative capital.

For organizers, the festival is an attempt to shift the perception of writing from a lonely endeavor to a communal experience. Christina Bevilacqua, Executive Director of LitArts RI, expressed that the event seeks to upend the idea that reading and writing must remain solitary pursuits.

“We can’t imagine a more exciting manifestation of our mission to build Rhode Island’s arts community by supporting our creative writers and enriching the lives of readers,” Bevilacqua said. Christina Bevilacqua

Bevilacqua also highlighted the importance of human expression during a period when writers are increasingly tasked with documenting the experiences of diverse communities and cultures. She said that the Valley Arts District was chosen because “creativity is our neighborhood credo.”

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The economic and social impact of such a gathering extends to the local business sector, specifically independent booksellers and publishers who will participate in the market. By bringing together visiting authors and local talent, the festival creates a direct intersection between creators and consumers within the Providence economy.

The festival website, pvdlitfest.com, launched today to provide further information to the public. While a full schedule of speakers and workshops is expected in the coming weeks, the City of Providence has indicated that vendor and sponsorship opportunities remain available through municipal contact channels.

“We are thrilled to be anchoring this festival in the Valley Arts District, continuing our commitment to place keeping, ensuring that every corner of this city is represented in Providence’s reputation as a vibrant, diverse creative capital,” Wilson said.

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