The creator of the piece and enthusiasts of the East Providence Public Libraries from around the city gathered Wednesday night, April 24, at the Weaver Branch for the highly anticipated unveiling of a painting documenting the iconic Copper Beech located on those Grove Avenue grounds.

Local artist and teacher Meg Ryanne Voyer, of Pawtucket, presented her completed work in oil during a reception hosted by the libraries. There was a sense of urgency to have the painting completed as the tree is in declining condition and is in its final years.

In 2021, the Weaver Copper Beech was one of four trees in East Providence to be recognized as among the biggest trees of its kind on the Rhode Island Tree Council’s Helen Walker Raleigh Champion Tree registry. The trees were noted as significant for their size as well as cultural and historical importance in the state.

The Weaver Copper Beech was at the time listed among the Top 10 in Rhode Island alongside the Weaver Gingko, which ranked as fourth largest in the state. East Providence is also home to a tall Red Oak between the post office and the Weaver House, which then measured as the 20th largest in the state.

As for the painting, the library sent out a call for artists in the spring of 2023, receiving nearly 50 entries. A panel of five judges that included members from the Friends of the East Providence Public Library, the East Providence Art Council and the East Providence Public Library Board of Trustees narrowed down the entries and chose the artist, Voyer, that "best fit the vision they had for this landmark."

The idea behind the effort was to "honor of the legacy of the tree"...and create "a lasting image that is an heirloom to be kept on display in the library forever." 

Voyer's impressive body of work made her the top choice. She received a $2,000 prize to produce the painting.

An art instructor in city at Orlo Avenue and Whiteknact Elementary Schools, Voyer said she learned of the call from friend and school district co-worker Christine Lilly, who is also a leading member of the East Providence Urban Forest community group.

Voyer, who has a background in landscape art, submitted her credentials and was notified of her selection last June. She spent the better part of the next several months studying her subject. In the end, she said it took some 25 hours to paint.

"I definitely found it challenging because it did not look as healthy as it once did," Voyer said, referencing the faltering state of the tree.

Voyer said she took many visits to the site and used a variety of different reference images and materials, her own and others available, to come up with the final presentation. She used examples of other Copper Beeches and collected leaves for inspiration and as a way of matching the appropriate colors. Public Services Librarian Michelle Perry also served as a sounding board throughout the process.

"I tried to understand the ins and outs of the tree," Voyer continued. "It's huge and has so many nooks and crannies. I ended up focusing on the trunk because that what's I could see in real life. It was the only part of the tree that felt like it was still lively."

The library requested Voyer's rendition be based on the tree during the time of fall foliage. She actually included leaves in the painting, using a method called "cold wax." The substance dries clear and sticks to the paint, she explained.

Of the completed piece, Voyer added, "There's a light shining behind it, a strong light almost like it's going to an etherial place."

Voyer has taught in city for the last two years. She spent the previous three as an art teacher in the Burrillville School District. She is hoping to show more of her work soon at the Hope Artists Village, located in Pawtucket. More examples of Voyer's artistry can be found at her website, https://megryanneart.com.

The Weaver unveiling, in addition to her piece, included some of the works of her East Providence students, who took inspiration from Earth Week and Arbor Day. The Library's Perry also spoke about the Copper Beech tree at last week's event, focusing on the community. There was a "paint your own" tree station for the children in attendance and free tree seedlings to take home.