PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Beginning in April, the Brown Arts Institute will resume its free, student-led public art walking tours, a program launched last spring to expand access to Brown University’s robust public art collection.

Led by Brown students trained as public art interpreters, each tour highlights works from a wide range of time periods represented in the University’s distinctive public art collection. Pieces span from classical sculptures like an equestrian statue of Roman emperor and stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, which was unveiled on campus in 1908 — to modern works like Martin Puryear’s 2014 iron and stone “Slavery Memorial,” which acknowledges Brown’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade and the contributions that Africans and African Americans made to building the University. The student-curated tours highlight the stories behind each work of art, offering insights into the artists’ intentions and the historical context of the pieces.

The tours are free and open to the public, and all are welcome to join, said University curator Nicole Wholean. 

“What makes these tours special is the enthusiasm of the Brown students who lead them,” Wholean said. “Whether you’re a local resident, part of the Brown community or just visiting, it’s a unique opportunity to see public art in a new light.”