Rhode Island’s creative ambition is visible on every corner. While many travelers arrive with visions of Gilded Age mansions or windswept beaches, a growing number are discovering a different side of the state one revealed block by block, mural by mural, through the rise of public art hunts. These scavenger-style journeys, which crisscross cities and towns, have become a signature way to explore Rhode Island’s neighborhoods, blending local history, contemporary culture and the thrill of discovery.

The movement toward public art hunts began quietly but found its footing in the early 2010s, as organizations like The Avenue Concept in Providence and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts began commissioning murals, sculptures and installations for public spaces. The goal was to make art accessible to everyone, not just museum-goers or gallery regulars. Today, more than 300 pieces of public art are scattered across Rhode Island’s urban centers and coastal villages and their locations are mapped by a growing network of local guides, apps and tourism bureaus.

Providence: The Starting Line for Art Adventurers

Providence, Rhode Island’s capital and creative heart, is the epicenter of the state’s public art renaissance. The city’s walkable neighborhoods make it an ideal starting point for those eager to explore public art. The Avenue Concept, a nonprofit championing the city’s creative spirit, maintains an online map featuring murals, sculptures, and installations by local and international artists. Visitors can start in downtown’s Kennedy Plaza, where contemporary sculpture and interactive installations invite curiosity. Vivid murals cover historic buildings throughout the city many highlighted on self-guided walking tours available online and through local tourism offices.

Public art in Providence is not limited to one neighborhood or style. Walkers might encounter kinetic sculptures, painted utility boxes, and temporary installations that illuminate public spaces after dark. The city’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism works with artists to weave new projects into the daily life of the community, making public art a constant presence. Self-guided public art tours are available year-round.

 

Westerly and Newport: Art Along the Coast

The creative energy doesn’t stop at Providence’s city limits. In Westerly, a coastal town once known mainly for its beaches, a public art revival is underway. The Westerly Public Art Initiative has transformed Wilcox Park and the surrounding downtown into a living gallery, featuring swirling steel sculptures, painted electrical boxes and interactive installations that invite passersby to linger and play. Each summer, the town hosts a “Mural Walk,” drawing visitors from across New England. Maps are available at the Westerly Library and through the town’s tourism commission, with more than 25 pieces included in the 2025 hunt.
The walk highlights murals and sculptures throughout downtown, especially along High Street, Canal Street and Railroad Avenue. Notable stops include the large mosaic benches inside Wilcox Park, painted electrical boxes at major intersections and storefront murals near the United Theatre. For a mapped experience, visitors can pick up a guide at the Westerly Library or the Westerly Armory, or download one from the Westerly Public Art Initiative’s website. Whether you're visiting for the day or exploring your own backyard, Westerly’s art trail offers a fresh perspective on a familiar place

Newport, famous for its mansions and jazz festivals, is also home to an emergent contemporary public art scene. While the city’s historic waterfront and downtown are more often associated with architecture and cultural festivals, recent years have seen a growing interest in outdoor installations and temporary exhibits. Various local arts organizations and pop-up events occasionally bring contemporary sculptures or murals to public spaces, but there is no permanent or annual “Sculpture Trail” sponsored by the Newport Art Museum. Instead, public art in Newport tends to appear as part of special events, community projects or rotating displays in collaboration with local artists and organizations, reflecting a niche but growing part of the city’s creative community.

Newport’s public art scene is more dispersed and tends to pop up during special events or as temporary installations. The best places to look for outdoor art are along Thames Street, Bowen’s Wharf and the Washington Square area, where local arts groups sometimes install temporary sculptures or murals. Pop-up art events and rotating works are frequently announced through Newport Art Museum and our events page. During summer and festival weekends, keep an eye out for art fairs and outdoor gallery shows around the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Queen Anne Square. Because Newport’s public art offerings change, it’s smart to check local event calendars before your visit.

Other Areas: South County & Block Island

In South County, don’t miss the now-famous Thomas Dambo trolls at Ninigret Park in Charlestown a destination art trail with giant wooden sculptures hidden around the park’s walking paths (see details here). On Block Island, the annual Glass Float Project offers a true scavenger hunt, with handblown glass floats hidden along public beaches and trails. Details and tips can be found here. 

For up-to-date information and maps in any region, it’s best to start with the local tourism website or visit city or town libraries, which often have the most recent guides for mural walks, sculpture locations and special art events.

Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Beyond: Art in the Everyday

Pawtucket’s public art is best explored with the help of the city’s interactive map, available at pawtucketpublicart.com. This digital resource pinpoints murals, sculptures and installations across the city, each with photos and background info on the artists. The following neighborhoods and landmarks are must-sees for art hunters:

  • Downtown Pawtucket: Start your walk on Main Street and Exchange Street. Here, you’ll spot colorful murals in storefront windows, utility boxes painted by local artists and seasonal pop-up art displays. Don’t miss the “Windows on Pawtucket” installations between Main and Exchange, near the Old Slater Mill.

  • Blackstone River Corridor: Several public art pieces and painted bridges are visible along the river, especially near the Division Street and George Street bridges. The George Street overpass, in particular, features vibrant artwork, turning it into a gateway into the city.

  • Broadway and Central Avenue: These commercial corridors often host murals and sculptures that reflect Pawtucket’s industrial past and multicultural present.

  • Wilkinson Park and Riverside Cemetery: Some outdoor sculpture installations appear seasonally in these green spaces, offering a mix of art and nature.

The Pawtucket Foundation also provides updates about new projects and neighborhood art events, including community paint days and walking tours.

In Central Falls, the Broad Street corridor (between Jenks Park and the Blackstone River) is the city’s art hub. Look for the bilingual mural trail, which features vibrant artworks celebrating the city’s cultural diversity. Each mural is marked with a QR code which can be scanned to hear from the artist in English or Spanish. Notable stops include:

  • Murals near the Central Falls City Hall and the Adams Memorial Library

  • Large wall pieces along Broad Street, especially near Dexter and Cross Streets, that showcase folkloric themes and portraits of community leaders

For those who want to plan their route, both Pawtucket and Central Falls public art sites are searchable on Google Maps and are walkable, with parking available near Main Street (Pawtucket) or Jenks Park (Central Falls).

With these resources, visitors can confidently set out on foot or by bike, knowing exactly where to find the creative heart of Rhode Island’s mill towns.