Machined Star

Eric Thavenet creates a big entrance to Starry Lights

Eric Thavenet of Thavenet Machine Co is in the process of welding together a 40 foot long entrance to the upcoming Starry Lights show organized by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. Starry Lights kicks off on December 9th and will take place in the parks and public spaces of downtown Westerly, Rhode Island and Pawcatuck Connecticut. 

The show will be made up of up to 8 large scale custom art installations created by area artists and crafts people in addition to the smaller, illuminated stars installed on storefronts throughout both downtowns. 

Eric’s shop has been in operation for 101 years and was originally founded by his great-grandfather, John Thavenet. There is a LOT of history in that shop and is a place I would happily explore more but, for insurance purposes, rules are pretty tight for curious interlopers and clumsy photographers like myself. There is plenty of opportunity for us to work together again though and I’m looking forward to learning more about Eric and his creations. 

I couldn’t help but notice the pile of notebooks near his work station that contain years of outlines and mockups of countless constructions, installations and ideas. There is good stuff happening here.

This was the first session in my new region for my “new” business, with a renewed emphasis on people and what they do and make. It has been a long road to this point but it’s great to get to work. Southern Rhode Island and South Eastern Connecticut is my new home base of operations, and the area is treasure trove of stories to tell and people to photograph.