Peabody Launches 'Outside the Box' Utility Box Mural Project

PEABODY, MA — A utility box mural project is aimed at adding a little color to Peabody and bringing some new art to the city.

The city's Community Development Department has partnered with the Community Development Block Grant program, Peabody Municipal Light Plant and the Fire Department to make this program possible.

In the first year of the program, four utility control boxes have been chosen to be transformed into works of art.

Artists are being sought for the project. Those interested should apply by noon on Aug. 1 to Lucia DelNegro/Outside the Box Project, Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or lucia.delnegro@peabody-ma.gov.

Chosen artists will receive an $800 stipend with an initial disbursement of $240 and the remainder paid upon the completion of the project as verified by the Outside the Box Review Committee.

Artists may apply as an individual or as a group. For group submissions, a signed Artist Agreement for each participating artist must be included in the application form and design template.

The main focus is to bring art to areas of the city in a non-conventional manner. All art must be original ideas.

● Creativity

● Community Pride

● Originality

● Appropriate regard for the nature of the space and the audience

The mural will be in a public area and must be suitable for all ages.

The boxes are located at Constitution Park, on Lowell Street across from City Hall and on Prospect Street.

All utility boxes must be painted and approved before Oct. 13.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)