Malden Youth to Paint Malden River-Themed Mural in Coytemore Lea Park

I'm looking forward to painting a Malden River themed-mural in Coytemore Lea Park with Malden High School students next week. See the press release copied below and images (courtesy of maldenmass.org and wikipedia.org) for more information:

Malden Youth to Paint Malden River-Themed Mural in Coytemore Lea Park

Through funding from the Malden Cultural Council, Malden High School students will be painting a Malden River-themed mural in Coytemore Lea Park during the week of June 13. Spot Pond Brook, the major tributary to the Malden River, once flowed through the park and down through Malden Center above ground. The brook is now buried underground in a stormwater culvert (pipe), but is actually audible if one listens closely around certain manhole covers inside the park, especially after a heavy rain. The mural will raise awareness about this history and current state of the Malden River.

The youth have been learning about the river and sketching outside at sites of interest, including Spot Pond Brook near Oak Grove T Station and the Malden River Walk on Canal Street. They also visited the Malden Public Library’s special collections to view historic maps and images of the Malden River and Coytemore Lea Park. These weekly sessions have inspired a mural design that the youth will paint on the paved ramp inside Coytemore Lea Park near the Clifton Street entrance, very close to where Spot Pond Brook once flowed above ground.

Prior to the painting, community members are invited to meet with the artists on Monday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at The Oak Grove Community Center, 6 Grove Street in Malden. The artists will present their design for the mural and gather feedback for potential modifications. This event will be hosted by Jim Nestor, Ward 4 City Councilor.

The youth will be painting at the park from 2:30-4:30 p.m. during the week of June 13 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18. Community members are invited to meet with the artists while they are working, and may be invited to participate, depending on interest.    

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.  Tri-CAP environmental justice coordinator Nick Cohen and art therapist Krista Bebezas have been working with the youth from Malden High School’s Pathways Program and art classes.