The Artist

Alyssa Barnes is a Providence-based collage artist, designer, and former collegiate athlete whose work celebrates art, sport, and community, bringing the spirit of play to the reimagining of materials, public spaces, and ideas. Joy in Noticing draws on Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights and his essay “A Flower from the Curb,” which encourages finding joy in small things we might otherwise overlook.


An oversized floral bloom anchors layered, imperfect forms and expressive color, while four quiet phrases, developed in collaboration with Manton Heights residents, are hidden across the court, each an invitation to notice the simple delights that surround us. In the artist’s words: “For those who come here to play, my hope is that this court inspires curiosity, cultivates the practice of noticing, and encourages people to carry both beyond the court and into their everyday lives. There is so much joy and beauty to be found in the things that are often overlooked if we simply remember to take the time to slow down and notice.”