Auburn is one step closer to getting its newest mural.
After receiving submissions from artists across the globe, the Auburn Downtown Partnership has announced that Trinity Rivard has been chosen to create the Thommie Walsh Mural Project. The selection committee was comprised of Joe Bartolotta, the Riordan Realty property owner, Lynn Varley, Chairman of the City’s Public Art Commission, and Thommie Walsh’s sister, Barbara Walsh.
“I am writing to share my heartfelt excitement for creating a public art mural honoring Thommie Walsh, whose extraordinary talent and generosity left a lasting imprint on both the world of theater and the community of Auburn, NY. As a two-time Tony Award–winning choreographer and an original cast member of A Chorus Line, Thommie embodied artistic excellence. Yet it was his enduring connection to Auburn—his birthplace, his home, and ultimately his final resting place—that makes this project especially meaningful to me,” wrote Rivard.
Rivard holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and a graduate degree from Florida State University, and has experience designing and installing art projects throughout the country.
“Throughout my career, I have created public art installations across the United States that celebrate the lives of remarkable individuals who shaped their communities. These murals serve as visual storytelling—capturing the spirit, achievements, and humanity of the people they honor. I’m drawn to this project because Thommie’s story is one of passion, artistry, and deep-rooted love for his hometown. A mural in his honor offers a powerful opportunity to share his journey on a grand scale, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience his legacy through vibrant, expressive imagery. I’m honored to help Auburn celebrate Thommie Walsh with a mural that reflects his brilliance, his generosity, and his lifelong connection to the city he loved.”
Funded by the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award, the Auburn Downtown Partnership said the mural will measure 10×10′ and feature a portrait of Walsh, depictions of his two Tony Awards, and abstract dancers from A Chorus Line. The mural is expected to be installed on the backside of the Riordan Realty Building on Dill Street by June, according to the partnership.
Barbara Walsh said, “My heart is full of joy that my brother Thommie is being honored and celebrated in his hometown of Auburn, N.Y., his place of origin that he always loved and never forgot. Trinity’s mural is a stunning and striking piece of art that captures Thommie’s spirit and style. I’m so thankful to Mayor Giannettino for his help in honoring Thommie in this way. Also, a big thanks to the Bartolotta family for allowing this creative work on their building, and to Jesse Kline, for her dedication to Auburn and for
being instrumental in making the Thommie Walsh mural a reality!”
“This mural will serve as a meaningful tribute to Thommie Walsh’s extraordinary legacy, celebrating one of Auburn’s most talented artists: a two-time Tony Award winner and an original cast member of A Chorus Line. More importantly, it will be an inspiration to future generations of performers and a reminder of what is possible.” Mayor Jimmy Giannettino, Mayor.
