The City of Bangor's Cultural Commission and City Staff in conjunction with Waterfront Concerts are teaming up to create a community-based mural project to provide free walls for the community as a way to promote arts & culture along with beautification, community safety, youth empowerment and graffiti prevention in the City of Bangor.
The eight-foot-tall cedar board fence located at the rear of the Darling's Waterfront Pavilion, running 320 feet, would offer area artists "an extraordinary canvas," said Alex Gray of Waterfront Concerts. "Beyond the benefits of safety and security, we recognize the opportunity to foster local talent and showcase the region's creative spirit."
The project is in the early planning stages with the first phase focused on the pavilion's rear interior wall. The notion is to create 'free walls' for artistic expression, space for artists to paint legally and to share their work with a large and diverse audience. Gray and his team reached out to the City of Bangor's Cultural Commission and City Staff who upon research discovered many many other mural projects and beautification initiatives across the country in which cities have worked with businesses, community-based programs, educators, and non-profits to help provide "safe spaces" for artists and to deter vandalism.
Outdoor murals have proven effective in combatting destructive graffiti, supporting arts and culture, and contributing to economic development and will further compliment the fan experience at the Darling's Waterfront Pavilion.
"We applaud Waterfront Concerts for its continued commitment to the City of Bangor," said Kierie Piccinnini, chair of the City's Commission on Cultural Development. "The Commission is eager to support this bold vision and look forward to helping flesh out the details."
Artists and community-based groups interested in participating in the Free Walls project are encouraged to contact elissa@waterfrontconcerts.com to learn more.
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LOCAL PRESS CONTACT:
Elissa Young
207-358-9327
elissa@waterfrontconcerts.com