Community Mural Grand Unveiling

As part of the Wickford Art Association’s (WAA) 61 years of continued commitment to the community and the celebration of the 350th Anniversary of North Kingstown, we are happy to announce the artists chosen for our second Community Mural Project: WAA member Misty Rae Marshall, student artist Chenghui Lui of North Kingstown High School, and Frank Monteforte were selected to paint their artwork for the mural. Misty Rae, Chenghui and Frank will be awarded $500 each for their artwork. The mural selection committee was impressed by the quality of the artwork submitted by all and thankful for such thoughtful artist submissions. 

The WAA Community Mural project was inspired to: 

Activate the exterior of the Wickford Art Association’s edifice by creating a large outdoor installation.

Engage the community around the Wickford Art Association with thought provoking art.

Encourage artists to explore their ideas and work within the context of public art

Support and Invest in local artists and showcase their work prominently in NK and RI

Empower youth artists and grow the local art community

This year’s focus aligns with the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of North Kingstown. The design concept of “Then & Now” aims to increase the awareness of and connect people to the rich history and innovative future of the Town of North Kingstown. Artists were encouraged to be bold, inspired, graphic, and impactful up close and when viewed from a distance. The murals were painted on three panels on the exterior of the WAA gallery and face the town beach for the enjoyment of the public. The project was open to members of the Wickford Art Association and students of North Kingstown High School.  

Misty Rae’s panel includes iconography and vibrant 3D style where it is painted like a "photo" hanging on the side of the building with those things of "then" falling into the "now." Misty Rae wrote “I would love for people to question what they're seeing and feel compelled to walk up and see what's going on.  My personal work lives in the realm of trompe l'oeil meets animated.” Chenghui’s panel is organic and free. She expressed that “there is an inseparable relationship between the community and nature. We grow around the ocean and coexist with nature. We can be fish in the sea or docked butterflies. We can be anything we want here.” Frank was inspired by a long history of fishing  with his family on Narragansett Bay. He wrote, “My dad was a fisherman. My friend's dads are fishermen. What does this have to do with the mural in In Wickford? The then and now. I want people to remember that this natural environment that we have is fragile, precious and we need to take care of it.”

The “Grand Unveiling” and celebration of the Community Mural Project will be Tuesday, August 20th from 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Artists worked with Mary Ann Thorne to learn all aspects of creating and painting a mural and are excited to celebrate completion of the project with family, friends and the community. The Wickford Art Association would like to thank the following: the Community Mural Jury Committee for their time and dedication to this project, the North Kingstown High School Art Department, Adler’s Hardware in Providence for materials, and the North Kingstown Arts Council for their support and assistance in this exciting initiative.