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Village Voices
Village Voices is the showcase of creativity by the members and volunteers of The Village Common of Rhode Island. We welcome submissions in all media: 2- and 3-dimensional art, creative writing, transformative ideas, crafting, and art collections. As important is the personal stories that accompany each submission.

Harry Adler

Harry.jpg

Harry Adler

Biography

Born on 11/04/1954 in Cranston RI
I’m a product of the Cranston public school system, having graduated from Eden Park Elementary, Park View Jr. High, and then Cranston East High School. After graduating from Cranston East in 1973, I attended Roger Williams College (now University) and graduated with a BA in business management.

I began my work career at the age of 10, working on Saturdays at my family’s business, now known as Adler’s Design Center & Hardware at 173 Wickenden St. Providence RI 02903 (www.Adlersri.com). My primary responsibility was tearing up cardboard boxes so they would not take up too much room in the trash. My pay at the end of a Saturday was a Kennedy half dollar.

I graduated from Roger Williams on a Sunday, and began working at Adler’s the following day. My intention was to work the summer of 1977, and then make up a resume and look for a job. 45 years later, I’ve changed my career goal to retiring someday, and never have made up a resume.

With my cousin and business partner Marc Adler, we have transformed our family business, which was founded by our grandfather in 1919. We changed the business from an army/navy, work clothes and hardware retailer, to a high-end design center featuring decorative hardware, fabrics, wallpapers, window treatments and paint, along with traditional hardware. One of my proudest career achievements was being part of the team that founded C2 Paint. www.C2 Paint.com

Outside of work, I recently gave up my lifelong dream of being the starting second baseman for the Boston Red Sox. I’m an avid cook, and love going on morning runs in Pawtuxet Village, and taking photos along the way. I get up at 4:13 every morning to care for my five cats before I go on my runs.

In 2021, I had my first photo exhibit, “Traveling In Place.” All of the net proceeds for that exhibit were donated to The Village Common of Rhode Island.

Artist’s Statement

My love of photography stems from my desire to deeply engage with my environment. When I moved to Pawtuxet Village in Cranston Rhode Island in 2008, I was struck by the beauty of the early morning light on my daily trips to the gym. In 2017, I changed my exercise routine from the gym to an early morning run through Edgewood. The diversity of the images you see here is not based on looking for new places to run, but rather by running the exact same route every day and paying close attention to the nuances. I love looking for the interplay of the sea, sky, wildlife, reflections, clouds and the effect of the first light. I'm very aware of the changing time of sunrise, and plan my runs accordingly. My deepest hope is that by sharing these images that are taken at a time of day when most reasonable people are still sleeping, that the viewers can experience some of the wonder and peacefulness that I witness. I love this quote from Maya Angelou; "This is a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." 

Place your cursor over any picture, below, to enlarge it.