**PROJECT UPDATES**
Mural Design: Based on input from the community listening session, survey responses, and information provided by the steering group, the selected muralist, Darion Fleming focused on a few ideas to guide his design:
Darion presented two concepts to the steering group. After discussion and deliberation, the steering group overwhelmingly selected this design.
One more element will be added to the design: a logo-type image that is specific to Turners Falls will be added on the back of the figure on the left. Darion will add that image after spending some time in Turners Falls as he begins painting.
The steering group is enthusiastic about the design, and confident that the final mural will be an exceptional addition to public art in Turners Falls and beyond.
The many other concepts and ideas that were generated at the community input session are being kept by the Town and RiverCulture for use in future projects.
Darion will be on site at the Shea Theater painting from September 4-15th. We encourage you to stop by and enjoy the process of its creation!
Montague Seeks Muralist for the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, MA:
The Town of Montague seeks an experienced muralist to paint a 3,000 square foot mural on a on a town-owned building with a long term lease with the Shea Theater Arts Center, located at 71 Avenue A in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. The mural will function as a gateway, with the goal to further advance the village as a creative community that encourages residents and visitors, alike to visit downtown.
The selected muralist will receive an artist fee of $15,000. All paint, supplies, equipment, transportation, room and board will be provided. The mural is expected to be painted by September 2024.
The Town is working with Common Wealth Murals (CWM) to assist with this project. CWM is a mural management nonprofit that partners with professional muralists and communities to create public art which reflects the hopes, histories, and heroes of their neighborhoods.
Mural Steering Group:
A mural steering group comprised of Montague residents, business owners, and representatives from the Shea Theater, RiverCulture and the Montague Planning Department has been formed to provide oversight of this work. Members of the Group are: Josh Goldman, Leo Hwang, Linda Tardif, Lisa Davol, Maureen Pollock, Peter Chilton, Richie Richardson, and Suzanne LoManto. The steering group will assist with preparing the Artist Call/RFP, muralist selection process, public outreach and community engagement, and the review and approval of the final design. The muralist selection criteria will focus on previous work and experience, commitment to creating public art that reflects the community where the art is located, and increasing the diversity of artistic representation in Turners Falls. The selected artist will be expected to create a mural design based on input from a community listening session and information provided by the steering group. The muralist will need to submit a to-scale, color concept sketch to the steering group for feedback and approval. Some sketch revisions based on feedback should be expected.
Community Engagement:
The selected artist will be expected to create a mural design based on input from a community listening session and information provided by the steering group. Listening sessions date/time/location.
Community Listening Session - The Town held a Community Listening Session on Thursday, June 13th from 5-7pm at the Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners. The goal of this community input session is to generate themes for the Shea Theater mural that are relevant to Turners Falls and its residents. These themes will be used by the selected muralist, Darion Fleming, to create draft designs for consideration and approval by the Shea Mural Steering Group. Rigorous community input is essential to this process. Click here review all all submitted community input!
Event Flyer and Event Banner, designed by the talented Mr. Peter Chilton. The Community Input Session was recorded by MCTV and can be viewed here.
Shea Mural Community Input Survey - For those who couldn't make it to the June 13th Community Input Session, please take the online survey! The online survey includes the same questions asked during the input session. Please take the survey! Deadline to respond is Monday, July 1. Please take the survey to help generate themes for the Shea mural that are relevant to Turners Falls and its residents. These themes will be used by muralist Darion Fleming to create draft designs for consideration and approval by the Shea Mural Steering Group. Deadline to respond is Monday, July 1. The survey response period has now ended. Click here review all all submitted community input!
Key Themes: From the community input, Darion focused on a few ideas to guide his design:
Application:
The application submission period is now closed. After thoughtful consideration of 350 applicants, the Shea Mural Steering Group selected Darion Fleming as the artist for the Shea Theater mural. The Steering Committee was especially impressed by his strong conceptual presentation of a theme or idea and his technical skill in painting large walls like the Shea.
The Shea Mural Steering Group awarded Darion Fleming as the selected muralist for this project. Check out Darion's work profolio here.
Press:
Project Funding:
This project has been funded by local ARPA money.
Questions/Comments:
For questions/comments, please contact: Britt Ruhe, Common Wealth Murals at britt@commonwealthmurals.org
