Brown Arts Institute

Picturing The Past

LECTURE SERIES
A captivating series of talks that brings the legends of our University's portrait collection back to life.

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Refreshments sponsored by the Sharpe Refectory


 
Thursday, November 6, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Music Room, Rochambeau House
Prospect St, Providence, RI

Join University Curator Nicole Wholean for a talk that reveals the legacy and impact of Brown benefactor, Mary Elizabeth Sharpe.


Mary Elizabeth Sharpe (1884–1985) was a pioneering entrepreneur, landscape designer, and philanthropist whose creativity and dedication left a lasting impact on both Brown University and the City of Providence. After launching a successful candy business and establishing tea rooms in Newport and New York City, she settled in Providence with her husband, Henry Sharpe. There, she designed both the interiors and gardens of Rochambeau House—now home to Brown’s French and Hispanic Studies departments. As a self-taught landscape architect, she brought vision and harmony to Brown’s campus, integrating its diverse architecture with carefully planned green spaces. Her influence extended beyond the University through city-wide projects, most notably the creation of India Point Park. A passionate supporter of women in the arts and a firm believer in the power of beauty to build community, Mary Elizabeth Sharpe’s legacy continues to shape the cultural and physical landscape of Providence.

About The Series

An inspiring public talk series that brings to light the remarkable lives behind our University’s portrait collection. Each semester, University Curator Nicole Wholean highlights one influential figure in a carefully researched presentation, uncovering their story, legacy, and lasting impact on the institution. Join us to learn how these individuals helped shape the University’s past—and continue to influence its future.

Learn More About Campus Collections

The Brown University Campus Collections strengthen the creative and curricular life of the University by furthering the appreciation and enjoyment of visual arts for the Brown community.