Providence Mural of Iryna Zarutska, Tied to Musk-Backed National Remembrance Effort, Being Removed

by Nancy Thomas, publisher

What began as a tribute quickly became a flashpoint—drawing reaction from city officials, the artist, and the community before the decision was made that the mural will taken down.

A mural in downtown Providence remembering Iryna Zarutska is being removed just days before it was completed, marking a swift and striking turn in a controversy that drew local reaction and national attention.

The owners of The Dark Lady have said they want the mural taken down, and the artist has indicated it will not remain up for long. It remains unclear whether the artist will remove the work himself or whether it will be taken down by others.

Statement of the owners, as reported by multiple media outlets: “We heard you PVD. We are deeply and sincerely sorry for everything that has taken place over the past week. After reflecting and learning, we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible. We remain committed to fostering unity, safety, and care for all members of our community, and we will continue to listen, learn, and act with those values at the forefront.”

A National Effort, Local Reaction

The mural, painted on the exterior of The Dark Lady at 19 Snow Street, depicts Zarutska, a young woman killed earlier this year in North Carolina. The project is part of a loosely organized national effort encouraging artists to create murals remembering her.

The idea was promoted by entrepreneur Eoghan McCabe and later amplified by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who publicly pledged funding to support murals across the country.

While Musk’s involvement has drawn attention, there is no centralized organization, official list of locations, or standard design. Each mural appears to be independently created by local artists working with property owners, resulting in varying interpretations and reactions depending on the city.

Who Was Iryna Zarutska?

Iryna Zarutska came to the United States from Ukraine, seeking distance from the violence unfolding in her home country. She was in the country legally. Earlier this year, she was killed while traveling by train in North Carolina—a stark and unsettling turn for someone who had come in search of safety. Sitting alone on a train and looking at her phone, she was attacked by a man with a long history of mental illness and prior arrests, who stabbed her repeatedly. He was later apprehended. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her name has since appeared on murals across the country, often without additional context, leaving some viewers unaware of who she was or how she died.

Widely available images of Zarutska herself are limited, further contributing to the sense that many encountering the mural knew little about the person behind the name.

Seen Without Explanation

In Providence, the mural featured a large-scale portrait and her name, but did not include explanatory text about her life or the circumstances of her death.

The absence of that context shaped some of the reaction, and how the image was interpreted by those encountering it.

Ownership and Oversight Questions

The mural was created by local artist Ian Gaudreau, whose work often incorporates portraiture and symbolic elements. The unfinished piece included blue, frame-like forms surrounding the portrait, which the artist described as representing “differing perspectives”.

The City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism states that all proposed artworks—on both public and private property—must be registered with the city. It is unclear whether the mural at 19 Snow Street was formally registered.

The property is owned by Randy D’Antuono through Snowmen LLC. D’Antuono also operates The Dark Lady, along with Alley Cat at the same address, and owns Friskie Fries, with locations in Providence and Johnston.

Owners, Artist, and Mayor Respond

As attention grew, reporters going to the club to interview D’Antuono were asked to leave. According to NBC 10, a club owner described the situation as distressing.

In a statement posted on its social media account, the owners said the mural was intended as a memorial and not a political statement.

“The mural on our building was created for one reason: remembrance,” the statement reads. “It honors Iryna—a life taken too soon… It was never intended to be political.”

The owners also pushed back on what they described as false narratives, writing, “We want to be absolutely clear: we are Democrats,” and emphasizing their longstanding ties to the community.

Mayor Brett Smiley opposed the mural, saying:

“The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like this across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence.”

Gaudreau responded on social media, saying the work was intended to humanize Zarutska and not serve a political purpose. From his Instagram page:

“As the artist I’m very saddened to hear that the mayor is calling for the art work to be removed before I was allowed to finish speaking. I would like everyone to know that the artwork is meant to combat the idea of it being used for a political agenda. I want the Mural to humanize Iryna. The blue shape Motif that I use in my paintings references each individuals point of view, in this painting they wrap around Irina as if they are strangling her and yet she still shines through. I hope that this is what people will take away and put aside all of the political vitriol. Iryna Zarutska was a human being with a mother and father, who are still with us and still grieving. [he goes on…] “It’s unreal that this is being censored. Where’s the freedom in that? They don’t want this poor girl to be remembered? Awful. Don’t even respond to all these troll comments to people with no followers. These npcs out here. You’re an incredible talent and doing the right thing”

A Debate Playing Out Nationwide

Community reaction has been mixed. While some supported the mural as a memorial, others questioned its message and context. In local television coverage, one resident asked why similar public tributes are not more common for victims of violence in other communities.

Similar murals have appeared in cities including New York, Washington, D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. In some locations, they have drawn criticism or been vandalized, reflecting a range of responses to the broader campaign.

The controversy has also drawn national attention, including coverage in LGBTQ-focused media describing the Providence installation as part of an “Elon Musk-linked” effort.

Political Backdrop

The issue is unfolding as Providence approaches a mayoral race. David Morales has not commented publicly. A request for comment was made but no response was received by the time of publication. Requests to the Arts & Culture Department in the City of Providence and the RI State Council on the Arts were not responded to.

A Rapid Turn

The decision to remove the mural comes just days after it appeared. What began as an effort to remember a young woman brutally murdered became part of a broader national debate, with reactions influenced as much by national figures and politics than by the individual at its center.