2023 Mayor's Mural Project
Printable Mural Design Templates, designed by Marlborough Makers
Marlborough Makers is not affiliated with the Mayor's Mural Project in any way.
MM Murals
2020, mural proposal for the exterior rear wall of Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Co. by Melissa Stratton Pandina
Looking for a muralist? Contact these folks:
- Melissa Pandina: https://www.deshria.com/murals
- Kevin Pagan: kpdb896@gmail.com
Our work advocating for a mural ordinance in the City of Marlborough:
2023 updates:
Mayor Arthur G. Vigeant invites artists from the Metrowest area to submit proposals for an $18,000 public art commission grant award to create a mural to beautify a public space on a busy thoroughfare exhibiting some history of Marlborough.
Application Here
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2022 updates:
View full article: Here
Stay tuned for the Marlborough Makers response to the removal of public art in our community.
2021 Murals: cont.
Thank you so much to those of you that took a moment to contact the city council in support of a proposed sign ordinance change allowing for murals in the city of Marlborough!!! Based on just those who forwarded their letters of support back to this address, it is safe to estimate that there was a WAVE of support sent to our local government on this initiative.
To watch the meeting about the ordinance it can be seen at WMCT-TV Marlborough: Urban Affairs Committee-2-18-21
Perlman's Mural Proposal begins at 49 minutes:
http://71.126.253.64/CablecastPublicSite/show/2870?channel=3
In the future to access City Council and Sub Committee meetings:
1. Go to https://www.wmct-tv.com/programs
2. Click on: Video on Demand & Live Stream Here
Overview:
Ways to stay involved:
Thank you so much to those of you that took a moment to contact the city council in support of a proposed sign ordinance change allowing for murals in the city of Marlborough!!! Based on just those who forwarded their letters of support back to this address, it is safe to estimate that there was a WAVE of support sent to our local government on this initiative.
To watch the meeting about the ordinance it can be seen at WMCT-TV Marlborough: Urban Affairs Committee-2-18-21
Perlman's Mural Proposal begins at 49 minutes:
http://71.126.253.64/CablecastPublicSite/show/2870?channel=3
In the future to access City Council and Sub Committee meetings:
1. Go to https://www.wmct-tv.com/programs
2. Click on: Video on Demand & Live Stream Here
Overview:
- The proposed mural ordinance was up for discussion at the City Council Urban Affairs meeting on Monday, February 1st at 7 PM, however due to snow the meeting was delayed until 2/18/21 where it was slated to be the last agenda item on the meeting. Councilors had been on Zoom for hours up to that point before hearing Councilor Perlman's proposal.
- While thinking about the development of a mural approval process I would like to point out how slowly this process has been and that I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm who have stuck with the process in support -- This proposal was ordered to be set on the agenda in September of 2020 with:
- Support -- Yea: 10- Wagner, Doucette, Dumais, Tunnera, Irish, Navin, Landers, Oram, Perlman, & Robey.
- Opposition -- Nay: 1- Ossing.
- It is important to note that a proposal for murals was originally put forward to Urban Affairs back in 2008, however Mr. Ossing may be the only current counselor who was present during that process in 2008 when it stalled, never to make it out of the subcommittee to City Council for a vote.
- If you are unfamiliar with the workings of City Council it is also important to note that Mr. Ossing is the President of the City Council and he is the only candidate in opposition of this proposal; as of now. In some cities, the counselor who receives the most votes automatically becomes president of the council, which is not the case here in Marlborough. Our City Council elects its president by taking a vote which can be seen here in the Jan 2020 meeting minutes. It is an election year so I feel it is important to also note that Mr. Ossing held onto his Councilor At Large seat in 2019 by just 205 votes.
- At-large City Council Election Results 2019 (four elected)
- Elected:
- Samantha Perlman 3,331
- (i) Mark Oram 2,663
- (i) Kathleen Robey 2,642
- (i) Michael Ossing 2,621
- Defeated:
- (i) Peter Juaire 2,416
- Paul Ferro 2,067
- James Jumonville 701
- You can watch Councilor Perlman's mural proposal beginning at 49 minutes: http://71.126.253.64/CablecastPublicSite/show/2870?channel=3
- Most interjections by other counselors were in support of the proposal, however the proposal has failed to move out of the subcommittee for a vote by the City Council.
- Councilors who voiced concerns on the proposal are Ossing, Oram and Landers
- If you don't want to watch the proposal, a summary of the opposition:
- Perlman's proposal calls on Urban Affairs to approve a subcommittee (such as a Public Art Commission or the Marlborough Cultural Council) to design a clear and accessible process that would allow the public to submit mural proposals -- such a process would allow the subcommittee to vet and approve submissions. Furthermore, rather than putting forward a predesigned protocol for mural submissions, the proposal is advocating for democratically developed protocol with input from multiple community stakeholders. What does this mean? This means allowing the subcommittee with the arts and culture expertise to design a protocol that makes sense.
- Currently there is no mural process, so murals aren't going up or murals are going up without oversight, which can be seen with Evviva Trattoria's latest "mural" in the Apex Center. You can see that mural and hear about its controversy in this subcommittee meeting.
- Ossing's opposition appears to be because "there is no plan" which seems disingenuous to what is being asked in this proposal. Furthermore Ossing's presentation seemed unreasonably oppositional. Personally we would like to see councilors who are solution orientated and are motivated to collaborate to get results that work for our community.
- Major points of opposition that could potentially swing Urban Affairs or City Council to no-votes:
- The City Council may not want to give up power in being the legislative body on decisions happening in the city, that goes for murals in public or private property.
- Concerns around "liability" or "offensive material" possibly signal an aversion to opening the door to public PC culture.
- Some personal concerns from this presentation:
- Generalizing public art or 'murals as approved graffitti' by a city councilor
- Suggesting that "The Rock" (unsanctioned) located on 85 should satisfy the community's desire for public art
- The lack of arts representation to inform this process: Luis Edgardo Cotto from the Massachusetts Cultural Council offered to be present for this meeting to answer any logistical questions around how designing such a process would work and to offer institutional insight on how initiatives just like this have successfully developed in other cities and he was denied access to the meeting.
- I would like to note here that this city holds cultural designations and we do accept state funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
- Generally slow process:
- Any process that must ultimately go through City Council creates an incredibly long timeline which could serve to stagnate many projects the public attempts to launch; many of us do community based projects on our free time or for free/little compensation -- in conjunction with attempting to create public art outdoors a nearly 1 year long timeline to approve a public art initiative will not work for most applicants.
- Further delays in this process allows opportunities for opposing views to gather more information to expand on rebuttals and to work on swaying attitudes towards to back away from their support prior to a vote.
Ways to stay involved:
- Reach out to your ward councilor and let them know how important public art is for the future of Marlborough
- Reach out to Urban Affairs and let them know you are following this process
- Urban Affairs Chair, Counselor Robey: atlarge_4@marlborough-ma.gov
- Stay up date on this process at it continues to develop
- Vote Vote Vote
- Get your neighbors to vote!
- Consider running for a local position on a subcommittee or as a councilor
- Not sure how to do that? There is a local group of residents that can guide you through how to prepare for taking on a local role
- Stay in touch, more developments may come!
- All suggestions are welcomed
- Connect with us at our upcoming pirate themed art show at Tackle Box Brewing, details released on our social media in the next 2 weeks
2021 Murals: Part I
Hey residents!
We have been working hard behind the scenes to help drum up support for public art that will serve to beautify our city and employ local artists and youth. So many of you have lent a hand in some form or another and we are hoping you could send 1 email of support to our City Council to help us move this initiative across the finish line! Please share with neighbors and friends.
The proposed mural ordinance is up for discussion at the City Council Urban Affairs meeting on Monday, February 1st at 7 PM.
Are you able to write to the City Council in support of this ordinance by emailing a letter to the Council at citycouncil@marlborough-ma.gov by Monday evening?
The ordinance will do the following:
1. Adjust the sign ordinance so that a mural is not a sign and define what a mural is
2. Establish a Public Art Commission in the city as the review body
Feel free to copy and paste the template below to email directly to the City Council:
Dear City Officials,
I am writing in support of Order No.20-1008100: That the City Council consider the feasibility of adopting a process whereby murals V1.11l be allowed in the city as a means to further the cultural and artistic value of the city's downtown district as submitted by Councilor Perlman.
INCLUDE ONE LINE about why you feel murals / a public art commission would benefit our community. Talking points can include:
1. Murals promote a sense of identity, belonging, attachment and welcoming, that strengthen a community’s identification to a place.
2. Public Art is an inexpensive method of community revitalization that promotes footraffic, tourism and signals a sense of safety for residents in public spaces.
3. Murals break down invisible socio-economic barriers between neighborhoods by promoting accessible arts and culture for all.
4. Increased foot traffic keeps revenue local
5. Beautification builds pride and social value in the community
6. Establishes Marlborough even more as a destination to visit
7. Well timed with commitments to revitalizing downtown and Lincoln Street as well as the new library
8. Invites opportunities for community partnerships
9. Creates opportunities for youth development and civic participation
Sincerely,
Your name
Marlborough resident
Hey residents!
We have been working hard behind the scenes to help drum up support for public art that will serve to beautify our city and employ local artists and youth. So many of you have lent a hand in some form or another and we are hoping you could send 1 email of support to our City Council to help us move this initiative across the finish line! Please share with neighbors and friends.
The proposed mural ordinance is up for discussion at the City Council Urban Affairs meeting on Monday, February 1st at 7 PM.
Are you able to write to the City Council in support of this ordinance by emailing a letter to the Council at citycouncil@marlborough-ma.gov by Monday evening?
The ordinance will do the following:
1. Adjust the sign ordinance so that a mural is not a sign and define what a mural is
2. Establish a Public Art Commission in the city as the review body
Feel free to copy and paste the template below to email directly to the City Council:
Dear City Officials,
I am writing in support of Order No.20-1008100: That the City Council consider the feasibility of adopting a process whereby murals V1.11l be allowed in the city as a means to further the cultural and artistic value of the city's downtown district as submitted by Councilor Perlman.
INCLUDE ONE LINE about why you feel murals / a public art commission would benefit our community. Talking points can include:
1. Murals promote a sense of identity, belonging, attachment and welcoming, that strengthen a community’s identification to a place.
2. Public Art is an inexpensive method of community revitalization that promotes footraffic, tourism and signals a sense of safety for residents in public spaces.
3. Murals break down invisible socio-economic barriers between neighborhoods by promoting accessible arts and culture for all.
4. Increased foot traffic keeps revenue local
5. Beautification builds pride and social value in the community
6. Establishes Marlborough even more as a destination to visit
7. Well timed with commitments to revitalizing downtown and Lincoln Street as well as the new library
8. Invites opportunities for community partnerships
9. Creates opportunities for youth development and civic participation
Sincerely,
Your name
Marlborough resident
See our full Mural proposal: HERE
2019-2020: Murals - worked to build community stakeholders, see groups' internal rolling-meeting notes for details.