The local creative arts community in Providence, R.I., and the larger New England live music scene, lost a vital part of what makes them so special when DUSK was forced to close at 301 Harris Ave. earlier this year. It was a space for more than just music that celebrated many forms of creative art and welcomed all walks of life. It was a home to so many of us that has been sorely missed since its closure, but now there's an opportunity to bring the arts and live music back to this treasured space.

The new owners of the building space that formerly housed DUSK, 189 Development LLC, have issued a request for proposals for how to utilize the space moving forward. The organization is accepting proposals until Aug. 1. Danielle Tellier, former bar tender and longtime entertainment booker at DUSK, has submitted a proposal to bring the arts and live music back to 301 Harris Ave. under a new name but with the same spirit of what DUSK was. 

This petition was started to garner support for Danielle's proposal to show 189 Development how many people are behind her and want to see the arts and live music return to 301 Harris Ave. I plan to submit a letter to 189 Development in the coming days explaining the importance of this endeavor to the local community and what it would mean to all of us to have it become a reality under Danielle's leadership. 

A social media post was made by the organization's director seeking proposals and featured the following suggestions: a plant store/cafe, a music venue/gallery, a craft cafe, or a used books/coffee shop. Let's show 189 Development that the arts and live music should take their rightful place back home at 301 Harris Ave. and once again have it become a welcoming showcase for the creative spirit and artists of all walks of life. 

If DUSK meant something to you and you want to see the arts and live music return to 301 Harris Ave., please add your name and support, and spread the word. The more names I can present to 189 Development, the better our chances that Danielle's proposal is selected. Time is of the essence. Let's bring back the arts and live music to 301 Harris Ave.!!!