Announcing Greg Pennisten as the Ward 14 RIPTA Bus Shelter Artist

In the fall of 2025 ACT announced a call for a public artist to create a new 2D piece on two RIPTA bus shelters in Ward 14 — on Douglas Ave and Admiral St. This call was initiated by Councilwoman Shelley Peterson utilizing Neighborhood Improvement Funds, and crafted in coordination with RIPTA, ACT, the Art in City Life Commission (ACLC), Councilwoman Peterson and Ward 14 community members.

This open call elicited 23 qualified applications reviewed in mid-January by a panel of five — an ACT staff member, a RIPTA staff member, a Providence public artist, a member of the ACLC, and a Ward 14 community member selected by Councilwoman Peterson. The panelists selected three semifinalists who were contracted with design stipends to create design proposals specifically for these sites. The panel reconvened to review the three semifinalist designs and ultimately selected one artist to create the pieces, Greg Pennisten.

Greg Pennisten (b. Providence, 1983) is a multidisciplinary American visual artist working primarily large-scale murals that bridge the gap between urban environments and community narratives. His work, often featured under his creative handle “Greg Was Here” encompasses murals, custom signage, and graphic paintings that emphasize vibrant, interactive storytelling. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Greg is a 2013 graduate of Rhode Island College. His work has been published in numerous national and international publications including “Flip The Script: A guidebook for aspiring Vandals and Typographers” by Christian Acker as well as the New York Times. He has painted extensively throughout the United States and has been a guest lecturer at both Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design.

“Greg is an extraordinary muralist who will elevate a transitional space into a destination in of itself,” said Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14). “Public art improves our lives, adding value to those moments that we just let go by when we are waiting for the next thing to happen. It’s a reminder to look around us and appreciate the beauty of the city, to maintain that beauty, and to add to it.”

Greg’s proposal thoughtfully plays with collage as both a way of constructing an image that moves through time periods that have existed in these sites, but also as a poetics that considers the bus stop as a place that knits together communities across Rhode Island. He writes, “Even with all of the unique characteristics that make up the towns and villages found along Rhode Island’s bus routes we can still find commonalities.

“The collages I have composed for this project seek to honor both the unique historic characteristics of the Wanskuck neighborhood as well as some of the more overlooked but omnipresent elements found in the urban environment. Included are pieces of the ubiquitous ‘Cash for your car’ flyers often taped in bus shelters; other bits of paper scrap collected from telephone poles; illustrations of period dress from the late 1800’s which utilized the woven woolen product produced by the Wanskuck Mill.

“Additionally, these pieces become wayfinding elements, and so each shelter has the name of the street it’s on collaged into it, constructed from hand cut letters and found paper scrap.”

“Public transit is about more than getting people from one destination to another — it’s about creating spaces that are welcoming, functional, and reflective of the communities they serve,” said Christopher Durand, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. “RIPTA is thrilled to be part of enhancing the character, culture, and streetscape of Providence. This collaboration will transform a bus shelter into both a vibrant piece of public art and a valuable transit amenity.”

Greg will be installing the pieces in early June, so be sure to say hi if you’re in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for a public celebration and thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen.