A Rhode Island mayor has called for the removal of a ‘divisive’ mural that depicts slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the community wants the unfinished mural removed after it was revealed the project was funded by Elon Musk and Andrew Tate.

‘The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the county is I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divide us,’ Smiley said.  

Smiley’s objection to the mural – which was being painted on the side of a local gay bar called The Dark Lady – comes after the controversial figures donated to a fund devoted to ‘honoring’ Zarutska.  

Musk and Tate pledged to commit money after Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe declared on X in September that he was ‘offering $500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent US city locations.’

McCabe left a contact email and mentioned that anyone who would like to contribute should do so. 

The mayor’s office has pointed out that the mural was not commissioned, funded nor registered with the city.

The mural was left unfinished as Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that they wanted it erased from the side of a local gay bar called The Dark Lady

An artist fund devoted to creating murals to honor slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska (pictured) has received hefty donations from divisive figures

Artist Ian Gaudreau told NBC10 that it was a shame to see the mural politicized, which went against his intentions. 

‘I think everybody was pretty moved by the way that she was just so publicly murdered,’ Gaudreau. 

‘Just the fear in her eyes and the fact that nobody came to hold her hand while she took her last breaths was just pretty horrific.’ 

Gaudreau noted that the project is largely funded by Musk and a collection of online donors. 

‘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 said on Instagram.  

The owners of The Dark Lady, Randy and Buck, said the mural was meant to honor both Zarutska and a slate of liberal causes in a statement. 

‘This specific mural was created for our community to honor Iryna’s memory, mental wellness, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration, the war, unity, and anti-Trump policies,’ they said.

However, they confirmed it was on pause until they could show the public the final renderings so its ‘true meaning’ could be known. 

Smiley’s objection to the mural appears to come from its links to a fund devoted to creating art to honor Zarutska that received contributions from Musk and Andrew Tate

Artist Ian Gaudreau said that it was a shame to see the mural politicized, which went against his intentions

‘We’re sorry for the chaos this has caused,’ the owners said in a statement. 

‘We are progressive Democrats, we do not support Donald Trump or politics of division, and our values are deeply rooted in inclusion, equality, and respect.’ 

Zarutska, 23, was riding the train in Charlotte, North Carolina when a crazed attacker snuck up on her from behind and stabbed her to death on August 22.

The refugee who fled her war-torn home in 2022 bled to death with fear in her eyes as onlookers did nothing to intervene. 

Prosecutors identified the cold-blooded culprit as career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who blamed his despicably violent actions to a schizophrenic episode. 

In the weeks following Zarutska’s gut-wrenching death, prominent – and controversial – individuals have offered financial backing for art pieces in her memory.  

Zarutska was on her way home from work at Zepeddie’s pizzeria in south Charlotte when she was stabbed three times in her neck and hands. 

She was not even on the train for five minutes before she was killed. 

Zepeddie’s posted a tribute to the devoted worker, writing: ‘We lost not only an incredible employee, but a true friend.

‘Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief.

Gaudreau noted that the project is largely funded by Musk and a collection of online donors

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Horrific footage captured the moment Ukrainian refugee Zarutska (pictured) was stabbed to death from behind as she sat on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22 

The Irish AI entrepreneur gesture seemingly inspired other big names to follow suit, including Tesla founder Musk and internet personality Tate

‘Since her passing, we have kept a candle burning in her memory – a small reminder of the warmth, kindness, and light she brought into our lives every single day.’

In her obituary, family said that before starting her new life in the US, Iryna graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. 

She was described as an adventurous young woman who adored animals and traveling. 

‘She shared her creativity generously, gifting family and friends with her artwork,’ they said. 

Rhode Island residents earn more money per hour, on average, than workers in most other states, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The agency released state-by-state figures for average hourly earnings, along with average weekly pay and hours worked, for December 2025, showing an overall increase in New England from earlier in the year.

In general, New England states had higher wages than those in the central U.S. and the South. But the state where people make the most per hour isn’t in New England.

Here are the average hourly earnings for Rhode Island residents and how they compare to other states.

What is the average hourly pay in Rhode Island?

On average, Ocean Staters earn $37.89 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure, which is not seasonally adjusted, is up from $36.38 in June 2025.

That translates to an average weekly pay of $1,269.32, compared with $1,229.64 in June 2025.

It’s New England’s largest indoor public garden and this spring it’ll once again be teeming with fairies.

The Fairy Garden Days return to the Roger Williams Park Botanical Garden this April with hundreds of handmade fairy houses hidden throughout the Garden’s four greenhouses, plus special events and activities planned for kids every day.

Running from April 11-26, 2026, it’s a great day trip during school’s upcoming April vacation or a wonderful weekend adventure to enjoy an early taste of spring.

What Is Fairy Garden Days in Rhode Island?

This annual event has been one of my favorites since my daughters were babies—and we still go back every year.

READ MORE: Explore These Ten Botanical Gardens Across the SouthCoast

Artists young and old create elaborate fairy gardens depicting fanciful houses, entire schools or even relaxing health spas (cause fairies need a massage now and then too!). You never know what you’ll see or where you’ll find the gardens throughout the grounds.

What Kids Can Do at Fairy Garden Days

Though if your young ones lose interest in the fairy gardens before you do, there are plenty of activities around the greenhouses too. Kids can get hands on at the texture table, create their own wand, pen letters to the fairies or write out wishes, which get released every Thursdays.

Don’t Miss These Outdoor Garden Attractions

Outside the greenhouses are a Japanese-style trail to wander, a rose maze to make your way through and an outdoor play area where the kids can let their imaginations run wild.

Meet the Goats Behind the Garden’s Cleanup Crew

Definitely don’t forget to stop by the goat house between greenhouses 1 and 2 to say hi to the three Nigerian Dwarf goats calling the Botanical Garden home. These three are an invasive plant removal team, helping to naturally rid the Garden grounds of unwanted plants.

The goats will also celebrate their 9th birthdays during Fairy Garden Days, with a special celebration planned for them on Sunday, April 12 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Just one of the many special events planned throughout the Fairy Garden Days from April 11-26.

Special Events Happening During Fairy Garden Days

Various fairy visits and story times are planned over the two-week event, with face painting each Tuesday and Saturday and bubble shows every Friday. There will also be an animal encounter with Roger Williams Park Zoo on April 11, Greenhouse Jazz on Sunday, April 19, and a performance from the Toe Jam Puppet Band on closing day, April 26.

READ MORE: Learn More About the SouthCoast’s Beloved Toe Jam Puppet Band

With the incredibly snowy winter Southern New England has been through, we’re probably all looking forward to finally seeing the start of spring. You can get a jump on flower season by stepping inside the Roger Williams Botanical Garden this April for the return of Fairy Garden Days.