Current social distancing guidelines require us to limit our time away from home and keep some physical space between us and our fellow Rhode Islanders. That being said, we're still encouraged to get outside and go for a refreshing walk now and then. Our friends at The Avenue Concept, an arts organization in Providence, have created a self-guided tour of some of the city's best street art for anyone who is exploring the area on foot or by car.
While it's possible to walk to these locations while minimizing contact with others, all of the information and photos are also available online for anyone more comfortable with taking a virtual tour for the time being. You can also see everything from your car windows if you so desire. We hope you will safely enjoy this beautiful art, however you choose to do so.
The Avenue Concept is an organization dedicating to promoting public art and supporting local artists.
One of their main goals is to create public art encounters like these self-guided tours.
Currently The Avenue Concept has two self-guided or virtual tours on their website, one for downtown Providence and one for the South Side and the West End, pictured here.
Both tours are fantastic, although the South Side and the West End one might be better for social distancing purposes as it's a bit shorter and more walkable.
The tours feature some of Providence's most beautiful murals and sculptures.
This is the Selfie Wall by James Mustin.
Some of the art will really make you think, like this, 'The revolution starts in the earth with the self' by Jess X. Snow and Gavriel Cutipa-Zorn.
Clearly this mural took a lot of time and tells more than one story.
This is a great time to explore parts of the city since they aren't crowded, provided you do it safely and keep your distance from others.
An ideal way to take the art tour is by car, if you have the option.
The Avenue Concept website has typed out prompts and questions for both tours for you to read at each stop.
If you have young Rhode Islanders in your family, this is a fantastic way to inspire a discussion and a fun educational lesson.
Art is all around us in Rhode Island, and this wonderful organization is encouraging us to enjoy it responsibly.
These tours will be available all spring.
The Avenue Concept's tour of the South Side and West End can be found here. Take the downtown Providence tour here.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
