Large Mural Proposed In Old Greenwich Business District

GREENWICH, CT — Plans for a large artistic mural on the side of a building in Old Greenwich have been submitted to the town's Planning & Zoning Department by RiseUP for Arts, Connecticut's only statewide public art nonprofit.

RiseUp was founded in 2012 as a youth development and mentoring program.

RiseUP for Arts was created in 2015, and since then, the group has completed over 150 mural and placemaking projects with over 50 local professional mural artists throughout Connecticut and beyond, the group said in documents filed with the town.

"RiseUP for Arts creates public art through donations, grants, and community goodwill," the group said. "We support artists, cities, other nonprofits, companies, and local community members in making their mural projects come to life. We help create the vision and manage the entire process to beautify communities through public art."

The mural is being proposed on the side of a boutique custom-bicycle shop at 188 Sound Beach Ave. The building is owned by Urstadt Biddle Properties.

A conceptual drawing shows a mural measuring 60 feet wide and 24 feet tall, and the words, "Greetings From Old Greenwich," in the style of a classic postcard.

Past mural projects have been controversial in Greenwich. Most recently, a pollinator pathway mural was started in 2021 and then stopped after the Representative Town Meeting questioned the process the Greenwich Conservation Committee went through in planning for and executing the project.

RTM members said they were not involved in the vetting process, and nearby neighbors were not asked for their input in public hearings.

The mural was ultimately finished and dedicated in 2022.

The town's public art policy was developed to establish guidelines for the town regarding the management of public art and installations on public property.

Coupled with the policy is the First Selectman’s Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.

The committee serves as the point of contact and acts as a coordinating agent for applicants wishing to place artwork in the public right-of-way, on a public building, or on town property, according to the public art policy.

The committee establishes guidelines for managing a public artwork program, including an application process, criteria for assessing requests, requirements, associated fees, and a final agreement.

All artists, whether sponsored by an organization or as an individual, must have proof of liability insurance, the committee's description says.

"In general, the committee will be charged with determining the appropriateness of artwork designs, while the town departments in charge of the desired location will be charged with approving installation within that location," the description of the committee reads.

The item has yet to be scheduled to go before the Planning & Zoning Commission.