The Merrimack Mural Project
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This is a project created by Vanguardian Art members in which they and other youths conceptualize, design and create a 100-foot-long painted mural that is sited along a fence on Merrimack Street in Downtown Lowell’s busiest stretch. The Mural’s design reflects a new theme each year. FY2009’s theme is Environmental Health; themes from other years include Surrealism, the Future of Lowell, and Comedy. One 8’x 3’ panel of the Mural is designed and painted by a youth member. There are 17 of these panels which are mounted on the fence in a sequential narrative, spanning half a city block. Beginning in 2004, each year’s mural is installed in June and removed the following January. This 6-month schedule meets requirements set by the City of Lowell’s Historic Commission for the display of non-permanent public art in the city. (The fence’s owners donate the use of the fence to the RM as a public canvas free of charge for this purpose.) As a recurring Downtown icon on display for 6 months at a time, the Merrimack Mural is a public art work that thousands of people view and enjoy every day. Each installation is accompanied by a public celebration for student members’ families and friends. Inevitably, the foot traffic on Merrimack Street joins in, resulting in a festive community happening of its own.
Currently, Teen Arts Group is working on the next iteration of this project.