Resilience Rising Brings Art and Purpose to Providence

Sometimes the most meaningful art comes with a story, and this one begins with a paintbrush, a sister, and a powerful cause.

On March 21, Jala Studio Yoga & Art in Providence will open Resilience Rising, a benefit art exhibition and sale featuring 50 paintings from the archive of Southern artist Douglas Lee Brooks. The opening reception runs from 5-7pm and kicks off a show that will remain on view through May 30 at Jala Studio’s Providence and Pawtucket locations.

The exhibition pairs thoughtful artwork with a mission rooted in community care. One hundred percent of the proceeds from every painting sold will support Sojourner House, a Rhode Island nonprofit that helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking rebuild their lives.

For visitors, the backstory behind the paintings adds a powerful layer to the evening. Brooks spent his life painting scenes drawn from memory, imagination, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. A deeply spiritual and contemplative artist, he often explored the connection between people and the natural world through his work. After being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia as a young adult, Brooks lived with family in Georgia and later in rural Alabama, where he continued painting for decades. By the time of his passing in 2021 at age 68, he had created nearly 1,500 paintings along with thousands of drawings and other works.

Remarkably, Brooks never sold a single piece of art during his lifetime. Today, his sister Dolly Brooks manages the artist’s archive and donated the works for the exhibition. She will attend the opening reception to share stories about her brother and answer questions about his life and artistic practice. Dolly believes the exhibition will “honor her brother’s legacy and his beautiful paintings” while supporting a mission that closely reflects his values.

That mission belongs to Sojourner House, which since 1976 has helped more than 60,000 individuals across Rhode Island rebuild their lives through services including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and supportive housing. To learn more about the Resilience Rising exhibition and upcoming events, visit www.sojournerri.org.

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