Auburn’s growing public art trail will gain another major addition next week with the unveiling of a mural honoring Tony Award-winning choreographer and Auburn native Thommie Walsh.
The public unveiling is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at 1 p.m. behind Riordan Realty on Dill Street in downtown Auburn. The project was designed and installed by professional visual artist Trinity Rivard and coordinated through the Auburn Downtown Partnership.
Walsh, a two-time Tony Award winner and original cast member of “A Chorus Line,” maintained strong ties to Auburn throughout his life. Organizers say the mural is intended to celebrate both his artistic legacy and his connection to the city where he was born and later laid to rest.
According to project organizers, the 10-foot-by-10-foot mural incorporates imagery tied to Walsh’s life and career, including references to choreography, Broadway, and “A Chorus Line.” The design also features symbolic depictions of his Tony Awards, musical notes, dance-step diagrams, and silhouettes of dancers layered into the background.
Rivard, whose public art projects have appeared across the country, said the piece was designed to reflect Walsh’s “artistic excellence” and enduring impact on Auburn.
The mural was funded through the City of Auburn’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award and administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
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