Murals:
Please join us for the Connexion mural reception at 1pm on 12/11!
Connexion Mural by Michael Talbot and Lucy Nguyen
The ESMS and Connexion Mural Committee selected a proposal that celebrates the diversity of the East Somerville community. East Somerville is the most diverse neighborhood in Somerville, with over 35% of residents born outside of the United States, and with large Brazilian, Central American, and Haitian communities. Additionally, nearly 80% of East Somerville businesses are immigrant owned. Recently, Connexion added a free library in the window directly below the proposed mural. The library is in conjunction with All She Wrote Books, an intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer bookstore that supports, celebrates, and amplifies underrepresented voices through their thoughtfully curated selection of books spanning across all genres. As Connexion sits at the heart of East Somerville on Broadway, and is a gathering place for many, the mural will highlight the importance of community life and acceptance of all people.
"Ultimately, we want this facade to feel energetic, magical, and creative while portraying growth
and community."
This program is supported in part by the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council.
Download the 2021 East Somerville Guidebook which includes a Public Art Tour of East Somerville!
Deano’s Pasta Mural by artist Michael Talbot
A big thank you to Somerville Arts Council, Mass Cultural Council, Deano's Pasta, and every individual donor that helped make this beautiful project a reality!
"My aim and approach with this mural was not just to highlight the business and what they do, but provide for the viewers an introspective dialogue to the statement ‘You are what you love.’
One of the main things that stood out to me about Deano’s Pasta is how dedicated they are to their process and promise of handmade and hand-packaged pasta. Going off of this, I figured I wanted to focus on a pair of hands at work.
Deano’s Pasta, being a generational family business that steadily passes on the traditions, practices, and knowledge to whoever is next in line, I felt like the word ‘Artisanal’ was an appropriate description and statement of authenticity, and as such I went with it as the title for this design.” - Michael Talbot
Broadway Brake Mural by Meagan O'Brien (2020)
Learn more about the Broadway Brake Mural Here!
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Mount Vernon Restaurant Mural by Brian Hart - Completed October 2019
This mural is funded in part by a Somerville Arts Council Grant and with support from Mount Vernon Restaurant and Pub
Murals brought to East Somerville by the Somerville Arts Council's Street Art Project
Calo Rosa Mural created in 2019
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"This piece was created for the El Salvadoran and Central American friends in Somerville, its a portrait of my friend Bianca Rosalia surrounded by elements from the tropical flora native to ES.
As many other Central Americans, Bianca represents the resilience and commitment to thrive in a different environment.
It includes flora that is easy to recognize to Central Americans: Flor de izote, the national flower of ES, hojas de guineo that are use to cook and make tamales, and birds of paradise flowers.
This elements bring us back to the days where we where in our hometowns, in the mountains or the coast, playing with our friends surrounded by life full of color. Bianca is wearing Mayan "ruler" earplugs as a reminder to recognize where we came from to know who we are, bigger that any government, bigger than any frontier or division.
wherever we are, the colors and energy of the tropics will always come with us." - Calo
Calo Rosa mural at 52 Broadway (Somerville Communications) completed in 2019
Murals created in 2018
as part of the Somerville Art's Council's
Street Art program:
Angurria mural at 112 Broadway (above Ola cafe) completed in 2018
Alexandre Keto mural at 102 Broadway (Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine) completed in 2020
David Zayas mural at 44 Broadway (Taco Loco) completed in 2018
East Somerville Main Street community murals:
Meagan O'Brian Lombadi Mural
Commissioned by Federal Realty Investment Trust (Assembly Row)
In 2019 local artist Meagan O'Brian was commissioned to paint a mural to replace the printed mural that had deteriorated. Meagan included several East Somerville icons in her mural including the triple decker houses, Chuckie Harris Park, Mudflat ceramic studios and "hello" in Spanish, Hatian and Portugese representing our diverse community in East Somerville. In June 2019, Meagan included a "Community Paint Day" and invited members of the community to come out and help complete the mural.
