Eagle Times Staff
The Library Arts Center and the Newport Public Art Collaborative — a newly formed partnership with the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce — partnered to create a new vintage postcard-style mural that has been installed in downtown Newport in July.
This large-scale public art piece, created in the same style as the popular “Greetings from” postcards, depicts the Corbin Covered Bridge in the fall, as well as popular scenes from around town (skating on the Common, the Opera House, the Library and more). The mural was painted by artist Heidi Lorenz — the lead artist of the Newport Community Heritage Mural Reproduction in 2022.
“We look forward to this vibrant art piece welcoming residents and visitors to the Newport Downtown Historic District,” Fran Huot, Library Arts Center Marketing Director, said.
The mural, on the back side of the building which houses Petal Patch, is visible when entering downtown from Sunapee Street.
The Arts Center received a generous grant from the Claremont Savings Bank Foundation in support of the mural, as well as many generous donations via the NHGives campaign earlier this summer.
This mural was installed on the building by Lorenz with help from volunteers Greg Yong and Chris Boyd. Before being installed, the mural received a thorough automotive-grade sealant coat of UV ray protection, which was applied by Cameron Mull.
“We are so excited to have this new mural in town,” Library Arts Center Executive Director Kate Luppold said. “Not only is this a gorgeous new public art piece, but it signifies the start of a five-year … Newport Public Art Collaborative’s commitment to bring new murals to downtown Newport each year.”
The Newport Public Art Collaborative is based on examples around the state and country where municipalities have built community engagement and pride, as well as economic development through the addition of substantial public art to downtown districts.
Much like the postcard mural, all the murals added to the downtown area through this collaborative will have a historic feel and will be themed on what is special about the town and region, representatives of the collaborative said.
“As this work is rooted in community engagement, the Newport Public Art Collaborative will be looking to community members to decide what should be depicted in future murals,” Luppold said.
Opportunities to bring ideas forward, and ultimately vote on what will be depicted in the upcoming murals, will begin later this summer. There will also be many opportunities for community members to be involved in this process as artists and as volunteers and sponsors to help make this all possible.
For more information on how to become involved, please visit libraryartscenter.org in the coming weeks.
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