'A Devastating Day:' Southington Unity Mural Destroyed

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Efforts to save a beloved mural in Southington dedicated to diversity and equality appear to have failed.

The "Southington Unity Mural" was painted on the side of 36 N. Main St., Southington, a privately-owned building, in September 2021 as part of the MLK39 Project.

This was a national effort to create similar murals, with 39 other Connecticut communities — including Southington — included in the effort.

But reportedly, the contract for the mural to stay at that location had run out, and the site was always going to allow different murals there on a rotating basis.

Now, those driving by will see the mural is covered up in preparations for new community artwork to go there.

That has spawned racism concerns in Southington.

An online petition has been organized with help from "RiseUP for Arts," the Hartford-based community arts organization behind the painting of the Southington Unity Mural.

Its director, Matt Conway, called it "a devastating day for so many in Southington."

So far, RiseUP's petition to save the mural has fallen short of its 1,500-signature goal, achieving 1,123 signatures as of Tuesday morning.

Conway said it was hoped the petition's existence would, at least, spawn conversations in the community about keeping the mural.

He said the building owner refused to talk to organizers of the preservation effort, many of whom are children represented in the mural.

With work underway in taking it down, Conway expressed disappointment at the situation.

"RiseUP is disappointed by the news that there wasn’t even a conversation about painting over the mural," he told Patch in a statement on Monday.

"It’s a disservice to all the community members involved in the project, especially the children of Southington represented in the mural.”

The online petition listed the wrong address for the building, which has now been clarified to be 36 N. Main St., which is owned by Serafino Holdings LLC out of Southington.

Patch has reached out to the owners of the property.

According to the online petition on Change.org, the new mural would memorialize lost pets in Southington and help raise awareness and funds for the Southington Animal Control Department and the Friends of Southington Animal Control organization.

Regarding the "Southington Unity Mural," a Facebook page has been set up to "save the mural."

Monday, the page posted a video of cars passing the mural, which was partially covered up in preparation for being painted over.

Painted more than a year after the George Floyd murder at the hands of a Minneapolis, Minn., police officer, the mural — according to the petition — plays a critical role in Southington's culture.

That 2020 murder spawned a massive, national debate on racism, police brutality, and equality.

According to the petition, murals like the Southington Unity Mural helped the community move past that dark period of American history.

Town officials have opted to sit out this dispute, with Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone saying this is a private matter involving a private property owner.

Officials of the beneficiary of the new mural, the Friends of Southington Animal Control, told Patch last week the mural was only supposed to be up for three years anyway.

Kitty Lukonis, president of the Friends of Southington Animal Control, said the site's owners planned to change the mural on the building as part of a three-year rotation plan.

While the town, officially, has had no public input on the matter, one Southington Town Council member, Democrat Jack Perry — who is Black and of Cape Verdean descent — decried the situation.

"I’m deeply disappointed that the unity mural in our town was power-washed without any attempt to preserve it. This action was not only poorly executed amidst unsuitable temperatures, but also symbolically detrimental to our community," Perry said via Facebook. "As a business and property owner, I understand property rights, but this situation was handled poorly.

"It's distressing for our children to witness what seems like a hostile act. I can sympathize," Perry continued. "The public response, which often diminishes the sentiments of marginalized members of our community, is alarming. We must strive to do better in honoring and respecting all community members."

From Oct. 10: 'Controversial Southington Mural Plans Fuel Racial Angst'