Crescent Park Beachfront Wall Mural
200′ x 10′, 2024
Crescent Park / Rose Larisa Memorial Park
Bullocks Point Avenue
Riverside, East Providence, Rhode Island
Charles C. Clear III & Bonnie Lee Turner
The mural on the Crescent Park Beachfront Wall, stretching 200 feet by 10 feet, honors the history, culture, and natural beauty of East Providence. Its vibrant scenes reflect both the region’s past and its promising future.
The design features six figures, each set within a circular frame adorned with a crescent shape—symbolic of Crescent Park and the cyclical phases of the moon. Behind each figure, lush trees fill the background, representing growth, resilience, and a profound connection to the land.
The mural begins with a young Indigenous woman from the Pokanoket Tribe, dressed in traditional attire with a white feather in her hair. She holds a wooden pole, which could be either an oar for navigating waterways or a tool for cultivating the land—essential to her people’s survival. Her gaze is directed left, toward the future, carrying a sense of hope and concern. Inside her circle, a thriving Native village lines the riverbanks, representing the Woodland First Peoples in their ancestral homeland.
Next, we see Roger Williams, depicted as a robust figure with a full beard and a welcoming expression. Behind him, his arrival in Rumford is illustrated with Native observers watching as he rows ashore. An oak seedling stretches through the crescent of his circle, symbolizing both the resilience of the Native spirit and the enduring continuity of life.
The trees in the background contrast sharply: behind the Pokanoket woman, the foliage is lush and vibrant, representing the health of the indigenous people. But behind Roger Williams, the tree is barren, reflecting the devastation faced by Native communities after King Philip’s War in 1676. This stark juxtaposition speaks to the long road of recovery that followed.
Moving forward, a figure holding a large basket filled with quahogs celebrates the generations of shellfishing in East Providence’s rivers and coves. His circle depicts a lively scene of community members engaged in this age-old tradition. Behind him, the trees begin to flourish once more, symbolizing the renewal of life and vitality in the area.
At the heart of the mural, the word “EAST PROVIDENCE” is boldly displayed in large blue letters with a gold drop shadow, reflecting the colors of the City Seal. The three geese from the Seal soar out of the “O” in “Providence,” while marsh grasses, abundant in the area, frame the text on either side.
Next is a joyful young woman riding her bicycle along the scenic East Bay Bike Path, with the historic Pomham Rocks Lighthouse prominently featured in her circle. Her carefree spirit evokes the vibrancy and beauty of the local landscape.
Following her, a freckled boy with red hair and a missing tooth wears a blue T-shirt emblazoned with the Crescent Park Riverside logo. His circle showcases the iconic Looff Carousel, evoking nostalgia for the countless families and children who have enjoyed the park for generations. His beaming expression is timeless—he could be from the 1950s or today, embodying the joy of East Providence.
The final figure is a baby on the beach, dressed in a red and white striped bathing suit that echoes the colors of the Riverside Townies. Behind the baby, the circle depicts Crescent Park Beach, which is set to reopen in 2026. The baby holds a turkey feather in his right hand, symbolizing abundance, pride, and survival. In this way, the mural begins and ends with the feather, a tribute to the resilience of the indigenous people throughout history. The baby represents the bright future of East Providence—full of hope, growth, and new beginnings.
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Charles C. Clear III
cc@oceanstateart.com