Excellent Self-Guided Providence Art Walk

Looking for a socially distanced activity in New England? Did you know Providence, Rhode Island has dozens of murals? No matter the season, this self-guided Providence art walk is a great way to get ourdoors and takein some local art (just be sure to dress appropriately).

Nowadays, many of the metropolitan cities have taken to allowing local and/or traveling artists to adorn vacant walls around their city with murals. These murals are sometimes exhibits of local culture or history. Other time, they are bright, colourful, expression of abstract art. The city of Providence, Rhode Island is one of these cities! There are so many murals around this city that if you’re exploring by foot, you might want to take a couple days to see them all.

My Providence Experience

I’ve always refered to Providence, Rhode Island as “a perfect little big city”. Since my first trip to visit this city back in 2008, I’ve been in love with it! As a country girl who always loves visiting a big city, Providence offers both the big city and small town feel. Geographically speaking, it only covers just over 20 square miles (Boston by comparisson is nearly 90). Over the years, I’ve made several visits, made easier by having friends that live in town. I’ve explored many of it’s restaurants and bars, and attended many concerts and outdoor festivals. It’s a perfectly walkable city with so much to offer!

In this post, I’ll be bringing you along to explore the many beautiful pieces of graffiti, street art and murals that Providence has to offer. While you are on the particular trail highlighted here, you may even come across a new mural or two. Murals are so popular here in the city, it’s almost impossible to keep up! Some are by local artists working directly with local businesses to dress up the town, while others are just moving through or part of a larger initiative.

The Avenue Concept

Welcome to The Avenue Concept! Also known as TAC, this organization aims at “funding and supporting the creation and installation of artwork in public spaces.” Their website also features a map where you can find some of the pieces we visited on this Providence art walk. In addition to the 2-D art you’ll find described in this post, TAC also supports 3-D art, or sculpture across the city. You can download their app to assist with finding their featured pieces as well.

At the ‘Paintbar’, you’ll find 240 feet of wall space just waiting for your artistic touch! Throughout the year, the’ll paint over the artwork that adorns the TAC walls, providing a fresh canvas for anyone interested in adding their artistic flair. Are you or someone you know intersted in contributing to a more permanent piece of work with TAC? Head over to their website to learn more about their open call for mural and sculpture artists.

Providence Art Walk

The following map re-traces the steps of my Sunday afternoon exploring the Providence, Rhode Island street art scene. All in all, the walk took about two hours, walking at a moderate pace and stopping at each piece for a moment. The list you’ll find below is quite comprehensive of the area, but don’t be surprised if you find additional pieces not listed as there are always new pieces popping up. I certainly didn’t get around to ALL of the amazing pieces on this walk. There are plenty more to the West of this trail, in the city. I would love to hear what you discover on your Providence art walk!

Note, if you go mid-day, there are plenty of restroom and refreshment opportunities along the way. Whether you’d like to walk around with a warm cup of coffee or pop into a pub for a pint, Providence has lots to offer. So why not stop in and support a couple small businesses while you’re at it!

There is street parking available in the area near The Avenue Concept, just be sure to check the signs. And in case you’d rather stay home, this Providence Art Walk is also quite navigable via Google Maps! Just plug in the addresses provided below and take a look around (make sure you are in street view). The linked pieces will take you to the relevant TAC page that describes the artwork and artist in more detail. Love what you see and want more of it? You can also donate to TAC.

Mapping the Way

1. The Avenue Concept JIMBOE (304 Lockwood St)
2. Mercury & Argus & Chickens (316 Lockwood St)
3. Selfie Wall (248 Broad St)
4. Untitled (221 Broad St)
5. Various Murals/Various Artists (continue north from 221 Broad St)
6. Graffiti & Black Lives Matter (814 Westminster St)
7. Painted Electric Box (corner of Cranston St and Westminster St)
8. Artsy Bicycle Racks (heading east along Westminster St)
9. The revolution  starts in the earth, with the self (1055 Westminster St)
10. Celebrity Caricatures (289 Knight St)
11. Painted Basketball Court (60-120 Cranston St)
12. Battlecat & Night Flight (Corner of A St and Booth St)
13. Carrot (200 Broad St)
14. OBEY & We Bad Boys & Bad Girls (50 Aborn St)
15. Cotyledon, Collusion, Condemned Sculptures (corner of Empire St and Fountain St)
16. Faces (West on Fountain St)
17. Pixelated Octopus (122 Fountain St, back side of building)
18. Adventure Time (backside of 100 Washington St)
19. She Never Came (make a 180)
20. Three Waves for Coastway (corner of Snow St and Washington St)
    Bonus: opposite #20, you’ll likely encounter a rotating artist installation so be sure to throw a glance that way as well!

Which one is my favourite? It’s a toss up between ‘Battlecat’ and the Pixelated Octopus. If you get around to checking it out, I’d love to hear yours!

Ready for a weekend of street art indulgence? These Providence hotels are ready for you! And there are plenty of other ways to take in this beautiful city. Or venture outside the city limits and go on a Rail Explorers adventure. Looking for another self-guided art walk in New England? Check out this New Bedford art walk for another great self-guided tour.