Warren Public Art Walk Preview

Waterdog Mural by Michael Ezzell

Michael Ezzell uses a range of media to create his illustrations. In the stories he tells with his printmaking and painting he explores esoteric symbolism and mysticism, weaving characters and icons reminiscent of Greek and Roman myths into new narratives and worlds. Ezzell’s work presents a window through time and reality; an escape into realms of fantasy and wonder. In addition to his fine arts practice, Ezzell is the founder of Paper Shuttle, a line of well-imagined goods, that includes pins, patches, hand-printed bandanas and totes. Each piece is rich with symbolism and evokes its own mythology. Ezzell works and lives in Providence, RI. He holds a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Baker Street Playground Mural by Adam Tracy

Warren's Waterfront by Adam Tracy

Part of the first Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Town of Warren and The Avenue Concept.Tracy is a painter and printmaker who lives and works in Warren. For more than twenty years he has been designing, printing, and selling apparel and accessories for his Dubs Deep brand. He is also one of the founding members of Warren’s nonprofit art organization, The Collaborative, and a high school art teacher in the Tiverton School Department. His utility box design is a celebration of Warren’s working waterfront.

"Plat 28" Mural by Greg Was Here

“Plat 28” was brought to life by Blount Fine Foods and The Avenue Concept (TAC) through TAC’s strategic business partnership work.PLAT 28 (2021) by Greg Was Here pays homage to the rich legacy of Blount Fine Foods and the seafood industry’s history in Warren, RI, of which Blount has a long and storied presence. Rich with hidden meaning, this collage-style mural commands attention with its jewel-toned palette and bold juxtaposition of imagery.The white line layout corresponds to the 1949 Sanborn Plot Map of the property, at which point Greg learned that Blount Fine Foods assumed its current modern form. The 28 on the right hand side is a nod to the plot number on the map. Below, is the oldest reference in the mural which is the original oyster house which was Blount & Hunt’s headquarters on the Warren waterfront in the early 20th century. The boat docked next to the oyster house was named “The Priscilla”“Clams for Chowder” which bands the farthest right section of the mural is from a print block for Point Judith canned clam chowder labels packaged by Blount Seafood. The two masted schooner sailboat in the lower left portion of the mural is from the 1947 “Whitecap” brand label. Greg chose to include the seaplane in the upper left corner for Nelson Blount, who led the company to its current iteration. In Greg's words, "He seemed to be a pretty remarkable guy able to pivot and make things work always... also a wild sense of adventure. How many other seafood businesses had their own plane in the 1940's?!" The Warren text, seen on the front water-facing side of the building, is the same font used on the original Whitecap Oyster labels.

Community Art Project

One of the first projects by the Warren Art + Culture Commission. In collaboration with the Town of Warren, the Warren Arts & Culture Commission invited community members {in Warren} of all ages to paint wood panels focusing on the theme “The History of Warren”.

Makerjake, Kitthan

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Makerjake is a Massachusetts-based educator and artist well known for his unique approach to portraiture and animals. In his professional mural practice Makerjake integrates the iconography of his First Nations ancestors with contemporary design elements. He currently teaches 1st through 5th graders at a small public school outside of Boston, where he’s taught the last four years.

The Lady J, We've Been Here: Massasoit Ousamequin and the Pokanoket Nation

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.The Lady J is multimedia spectacle generator, creating disruptive & humorous work, steeped in pop culture references. Prioritizing cultural competency as a pillar for successful learning in the classroom. She creates flexible environments that facilitate an inclusive space to explore, reflect, & discuss the challenges of race politics, social justice concerns & cultural commentary.

Adam Kelley, Untitled (seascape)

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Adam Kelley was born and raised in Providence RI. While pursuing his BFA Kelley was able to keep a focus in manual print disciplines, particularly silkscreening and woodblock printing and continued that work back in RI after graduation at the AS220 printshop. Kelley has always maintained a steady art practice and had the opportunity to do commissioned work.

Kristen Divona, Discovery

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Kristin DiVona is an illustrator, educator designer, and the Visual Information Specialist for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of NASA’s space-based telescopes. She designs and develops print, web, and interactive educational tools, such as the new Reach Across the Stars, an augmented reality app designed to encourage young girls to envision themselves in STEM careers. She works on her fine art practice in her Warren-based studio.

Uptown Warren by Adam Tracy

From Adam Tracy, The Collaborative and the Town of Warren

Heather Annis, Scintillio

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Heather J. Annis is an artist and educator living in Providence, RI. Her personal artistic practice focuses primarily on collage and ink; in community settings, she has facilitated workshops across the country for children, teens, and adults in a wide variety of art-making modalities, from small scale media like comics and zines to larger installations including murals and mosaics.

Connor Robinson, Fish Tank

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Connor Robinson is a Rhode Island-based artist who completed his BFA at RISD in Illustration in 2020. He has exhibited at Woods Gerry Gallery and was a Featuring Artist at RAW Artists: Connect, both in Providence. He began freelance work in 2019 and has completed commission work for Brown Political Review, Brown Jug, and the Scituate Tri Country Commission, amongst others.

Holly Emidy, Fore and Aft

Part of the second Utility Box project, a collaboration with the Warren Art + Culture Commission, the Town of Warren and the Avenue Concept.Holly Emidy is an accomplished surface designer with over 30 years of experience and Warren resident. She is a specialist in layout and design of repeating patterns for textile, wallpaper and other decorative applications, and able to create original, exceptional artwork in many styles and mediums. Emidy has worked independently, as part of a team, and as a studio manager and enjoys being surrounded by color, design, and creativity.