Curated by Linsey Wallace and Quinn Corey of the artist-directed production company Chroma Council, the Riverwalk Mural Project aims to draw public attention back to the water by injecting color into downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
Revamping Timeworn Displays Along the Providence River
For years, parts of the Providence Riverwalk featured fading informational signs, tarnished plaques, and drab concrete walls alongside the water. To combat this decay, the Riverwalk Mural Project replaces failing infrastructure with durable ceramic tile installations.
One prominent installation sits along the Exchange Street Bridge, where bare diamond-shaped depressions have been filled with geometric blue patterns and swimming fish that mirror the movement of the Providence River below. In total, 13 distinct installations are bringing pops of color to downtown through the collaborative effort.
Origins of the Chroma Council Initiative
Titled “Under The Cobblestones, The Beach,” that initial ceramic series replaced plain tiles covered in graffiti and shed light on the river’s precolonial species and wildlife. Wallace and Corey sourced handmade tiles from Oregon, using underglazes and glazes to ensure the artwork could withstand the local river environment.
Following the completion of the Memorial Park installation, Wendy Nilsson, the superintendent of Providence Parks, praised the work for exceeding expectations.
Artist-Led Freedom and Community Recognition
To execute Nilsson’s vision, Linsey Wallace assigned specific stretches of the riverwalk to individual artists. Wallace and Corey curated the participants using their connections within the Providence arts community, where they have worked for over two decades. Participating artists were given unusual creative autonomy regarding what to build for their designated spaces.
“Giving them that freedom, that’s a pretty incredible thing that the city allowed.”
Wallace noted that the project also serves as a form of city recognition for local creators who have faced financial pressures from gentrification and rising living costs. Participating artists can either craft the ceramic tiles themselves or send their designs to outside tile-makers before installation along the riverwalk.
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