Wall of Hope, Providence, Rhode Island

In the first year following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the social justice organization, Rhode Island for Community and Justice, coordinated a state-wide community building project known as the Wall of Hope. Throughout Rhode Island, people came together to paint tiles to express their feelings and reflect upon the attacks. Blank tiles and materials were donated and people were asked to contribute a small fee to cover other costs. No one was turned away for lack of funds.

The over 10,000 tiles created were installed in downtown Providence and were unveiled on September 11, 2002, the one-year anniversary of the attacks, as a lasting memorial and a symbol of unity, hope and community.















There is a special section dedicated to tiles made in memory of someone who perished in the attacks.







The state motto of Rhode Island is "Hope". And tile after hundreds of tiles, this theme repeats: words and pictures from the hands and heart of a community.