Norwalk Unveils Stunning New Mural, Receives Arts And Cultural District Designation

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Earlier this year, the COA approved Norwalk’s application to create a cultural district after recognizing the city’s deep commitment to promoting the arts and celebrating the community’s diverse cultural heritage, according to additional press materials provided by the city.

Norwalk’s designation as a cultural district highlights the city’s commitment to fostering creativity, community engagement and economic growth, according to the city.

The cultural district, centered around Norwalk’s vibrant neighborhoods such as Wall Street and South Norwalk, showcases a blend of public art installations, galleries, theaters and performance spaces.

The area has become a focal point for local artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations, according to the city.

“Norwalk is a city on the rise,” Rilling said, “a thriving city. People are noticing us, people want to come here, people want to move here. It’s really a very exciting time for our city.”

In addition to its artistic assets, the cultural district is designed to connect the broader community through collaborative events and programs, such as public murals and festivals.

By investing in these initiatives, the city aims to continue to promote its arts and cultural attractions while enhancing its economic vitality by increasing foot traffic, attracting new businesses and growing its local economy.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz noted only a small number of communities in Connecticut have been designated as a cultural district.

“Cultural districts promote tourism and give us the opportunity to celebrate local artists, entrepreneurs and creative business owners,” Bysiewicz said. “With this designation, Norwalk will be able to market and promote some of the cultural assets that the mayor has already talked about.”

Bysiewicz also spoke highly of the art space and noted it was one small part of the city’s numerous arts and cultural spots, all of which have helped Norwalk receive this notable designation.

“What’s also great is you can just walk around Norwalk, through its neighborhoods,” Bysiewicz said, “and you will see a beautiful blend of public art installations, galleries and performance spaces.”

She also highlighted the ways in which this designation will play a key part in the city’s economic development.

“People want to come to cities that have a thriving art scene,” Bysiewicz said. “People want to come here to live, but also tourists and other residents of our state want to come to places where they can walk around and enjoy a gallery, some great food, some good shopping, and [Norwalk has] it all here.”

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and CT Department of Economic and Community Development Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums Elizabeth Shapiro both spoke highly of Norwalk’s thriving arts and cultural scene, as well as its growing number of residents and new businesses.

“Norwalk is hot right now,” Duff said. “We’ve got so much going on that’s really just awesome. People want to move to Norwalk, as the mayor said, because we have so much going on, and you think about all the people who are here today who have played so much of a role of this designation today, that it is really such a moment to be very proud.”

Other officials present for the outdoor event included State Rep. Lucy Dathan, Fairfield County Cultural Alliance Executive Director Erika Wesley, Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission Chair Brian Kasprn and Common Council Member Josh Goldstein, who also serves as chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee.

“You think about all the different ways where Norwalk is connecting,” Duff said, “which is why you see all the building that’s happening here because people want to live in this great community.”

The event also marked the official unveiling of a new mural titled “Welcome to Norwalk,” which stretches an impressive 1,050 feet by 20 feet along West Avenue.

According to the city, the mural reflects the community’s input, as residents participated in a survey over the summer that included questions regarding color options, animal and fish visuals and words that would be displayed on the mural.

The mural is anchored by a striking image of a humpback whale that stretches across the wall along with other marine animals like harbor seals, jellyfish, and oysters, interspersed with native birds like cardinals and red-winged blackbirds, as well as local wildlife such as the New England cottontail.

Goldstein said the mural was a symbol of what’s to come, and what has already been, in Norwalk.

“What was previously an essentially blank 1,050 feet by 20 feet wall is now transformed and emblematic of what makes Norwalk special,” Goldstein said. “It is colorful and welcome and thoughtful and exciting. The fact of the matter that you can drive by this area and it says ‘welcome to Norwalk,’ that is a simple sentence but it says exactly what our values are and who we are; that we want people to be here, that we believe in a vibrant, energetic and diverse city.”

The project was completed by artists Sonny Behan and Ernesto Maranje, who were joined by five local artist assistants to complete the installation within a month.

“Murals are not only beautiful because of the content of their art, but their scale magnifies the awesomeness of their presence,” Goldstein said. “The fact of the matter is this corridor which is traveled by thousands of Norwalkers, myself included, it’s part of the fabric of our lives. It’s something that’s not just a blur but a small spark of joy that we now get to have as we live our lives.”

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Rilling thanked Scott Herling, vice president of paint operations at Ring’s End, a paint center on Westport Avenue, for donating all the paint for this project and for his active role in the community.

“At Ring’s End, we’ve been in the community for 123 years,” Herling said. “One of our core values is supporting communities we live in work in, so to be a part of such a great project is really awesome for us. Personally, I drive by here almost every weekend going to Stepping Stones [Museum for Children] with my daughters, and they love watching the progress, so we really are excited to partner with you guys on this. It’s such a beautiful installation, and we’re happy to support the city of Norwalk.”

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