In 2010, Brunswick’s Comprehensive Plan included a recognition that public art was a key element in creating a sense of place. Brunswick Public Art came into being, its mission to facilitate the placement of works of art in public spaces. BPA now fosters collaborations with individuals and organizations to create public art throughout the community, with a special focus on the downtown area.
In past years, they created a series of banners at the Hannaford store, with fruit and vegetable themes, facing the train station. They were installed in June of 2012. A mural at the Walk-in Clinic, also in the train station plaza, was painted by Bowdoin student Lucy Walker and was installed in 2013.
Another Bowdoin collaboration was just completed and installed. Mariah Reading, Bowdoin class of 2016, oversaw the creation of 16 28×33 inch canvas panels with health and wellness themes and a permanent large mural at the Concession stand by three Brunswick High School seniors at the Brunswick Recreation Center. The project was one of three “Art Around Town” projects. It was installed on December 1 and opened to the public formally on December 4.
Future projects include relocating “Dance of Two Cultures” from 11 Pleasant Street to 100 Main Street, a historic themed mural on the wall of Fort Andross facing Route One, art on the grounds of the new CEI building on Federal Street, and a temporary installation of sculptures created by John Bisbee’s Bowdoin College Public Art class or Sculpture class.
Finally, there will be art projects outside the downtown region at Cook’s Corner and Brunswick Landing. There is no target date for those projects, but assistance is expected from MRRA, SMCC, and businesses at Brunswick Landing and in the Cook’s Corner area.
For the recently opened Brunswick Recreation Center installation, students from Brunswick Junior High School, Art Van, St. John’s School, and Bowdoin College participated in the painting of the smaller panels, and Brunswick High School students painted the large mural at the concession stand.
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