Teens Present Mural Project At Gateway Of Concord

CONCORD, NH — Nearly five years ago, a teen from Northwood, a budding artist, was enjoying working on art projects, photography, as well as hanging out with a lot of caring friends. She was also getting into a bit of trouble – as teenagers can sometimes do – trouble that, unfortunately, took her life far too soon. Haley Rae Martin, 19, an honor roll student in Northwood, who also lived in Amherst, passed away on Oct. 23, 2012, of an accidental heroin overdose, something that was relatively rare at the time but happens all too often now in the capital region these days.

The death – mere days after she was caught and arrested for tagging buildings downtown – shocked the community. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Concord NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Like Concord NH Patch on Facebook)

But during the past five years, a lot of positive things have happened in the wake of her tragic death, which have allowed other teens to enjoy a meaningful outlet through art.

Not long after Martin’s passing, her parents put together a fund – Haley’s Gift – to help students with scholarships to attend classes at the Kimball Jenkins School of Art. Thousands and thousands of dollars were raised. So much money, according to Managing Director Ryan Linehan, that the Haley Rae Martin Mural Project was born.

Last year, students created the mural along the side of the CVS on Main Street. Today, just 10 days shy of the fifth anniversary of her passing, a massive 24 by 36 mural was placed on the side of the Ralph Pill Building on Bridge Street, for both the city and travelers by to see.

About 30 teenagers – a relatively informal group – worked on the mural, he said.

“The impact it’s going to have on the city,” Linehan said, “particularly for people driving through Concord … it’s going to become a landmark, at least for a short period of time. I’m hoping it’s going to last a few years.”

If it doesn’t, Linehan said the students may have to put together another one. He said the project and scholarships help kids have an outlet – something Martin didn’t have at the time but would have enjoyed.

“It gives them a place to go,” he said, “a place to be … other kids to interact with that might be outside of their normal friends. Hopefully, it’s making a difference with the kids … teenagers … that’s what’s important about it. That was the family’s intention. With the idea of, maybe, if Haley was involved in something like this, she would be alive today.”