A previous Avenue Concept event. Photo Courtesy of the Avenue Concept.
On Saturday, June 8, an epic party is taking place at Davol Square in Providence to celebrate ten years of The Avenue Concept and toast founder Yarrow Thorne as he moves on from his role as Executive Director, but he will forever be the founder.
The TAC Ten+ party is a celebration of public art and includes graffiti, sculpture and mural pop-ups, installations with guest artists, themed cocktails and mocktails by Hi Bar Lo Bar, bites by Troop, performances by Thirsty Sounds and Avenue alumni deejays. There will also be space to chill in new art chairs created by guest artists who will paint or decorate each chair with their own one-of-a-kind designs. The VIP reception begins at hour early at 6 p.m., followed by the public opening from 7-9 p.m.
Hi Bar Lo Bar at a TAC activation. Photo courtesy of Hi Bar Lo Bar.
After twelve years since founding The Avenue Concept, Yarrow Thorne is stepping aside as Executive Director this summer. TAC is searching for its next ED while preserving the relationship with its founder for the future. Under Yarrow’s bold and passionate leadership, the Avenue Concept developed “avenues” for public art, creating spaces where hundreds of artists, civic and business leaders and advocates could connect and share stories through public art experiences. With murals, sculptures, legal graffiti walls, events and TAC Activations, they’ve combined music, art, skateboarding, food, photography, video and storytelling to create community experiences.
The Avenue Concept founder Yarrow Thorne.
The Avenue Concept has produced 300-plus public artworks and experiences, dramatically changing the look, feel and engagement with Providence and beyond. “The first ten years were the proof of concept to show that public art could provide a compelling backdrop for vitality and connection,” Yarrow says. Some of the most notable examples of promoting public art include installing permanent lighting at signature mural sites, including Gaia’s “Still Here,” Garden of Journey’s “Salt Water,” and Bezt’s “She Never Came.” TAC has also built relationships with the community and local businesses to create long-term partnerships for projects like the Weybosset Facade, which is now an iconic Providence landmark on which more than fifteen talented muralists have added color and storytelling around an underutilized structure.
Gaia’s “Still Here.” Photo by Jamie Coelho.
“TAC’s next leader will have the opportunity to have a bold vision, unrestrained by past obstacles. Like the rotating work on the legal graffiti wall in our yard, this transition won’t replace one vision with another. Instead, it will add new layers to our collective mosaic,” Yarrow says. “The beauty of TAC is that it’s always been a collaborative effort, a shared dream beyond any single individual. Our next leader will bring their unique vision, and they’ll also inherit a strong foundation, a passionate team, and a community ready to support them.”
Garden of Journey’s “Salt Water.” Photo by Jamie Coelho.
TAC Ten + will also include a moment of passing the baton and celebrating Yarrow, plus past contributors, artists and board members, as well as an acknowledgement of Next TEN, the strategic plan launch with TACtivation and engagement stations and raffle prizes. Buy Tickets here.
Editor’s note: Rhode Island Monthly editor-in-chief Jamie Coelho is also the board chair of the Avenue Concept.
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