The Waterdragon

Artist: Jay Hungate

Date Installed: July 2024

Originally created and installed in 2007, The Waterdragon has been an iconic tribute to Lowell’s canal system. It’s first home was the fence of the Lowell National Historical Park off Dutton Street. The Waterdragon became a popular backdrop for countless photographs of visitors and locals in downtown Lowell. The shiny CDs, serving as scales, were donated and decorated by the community. Since its return, The Waterdragon has resided near Wannalancit Mills.

The return of The Waterdragon was made possible through the City of Lowell’s Public Art grant program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Location: 359 Father Morrisette Blvd.

Art is for Everyone

Photo by Henry Marte/Marte Media, courtesy of Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Frank Casazza / Eyeformation

Date Installed: May 2022

Frank Casazza’s mural presents a very simple message: “Art is for Everyone.” This mural was painted on an approximately 14’ x 50’ wall on Pearl Street.

The bright contrasting colors and smiling cloud are signature features of Casazza’s work under his business, Eyeformation, which is based out of Mill No. 5. Casazza is also the artist behind some of the other art pieces in Lowell, including the “Happy Cloud Portal.”

“Art is for Everyone” was created in collaboration with Curation 250.

Location: 16 Pearl Street

Healing

Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Bryan Beyung

Date Installed: Summer 2022

What do you focus on when you see this mural? A vase whole, fractured, or pieced back together? All three conditions are presented in Bryan Beyung’s “Healing,” and not simply for aesthetics.

“Exposing the flaws, the scars, the imperfect,” Bryan Beyung states on Beyond Wall’s website, “and making them part of the story.” Painted on an approximately 73’ x 35’ space on the wall of Eliot Church, the mural speaks of the hope that the Eliot Day Center brings to the unhoused population. The Eliot Day Center provides temporary refuge during the day to those who need a safe place.

Beyung draws inspiration from Kintsugi, which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold. Kintsugi artists aim to utilize the broken features as part of the art rather than hiding the blemishes and history of the object.

“Healing” was organized as part of Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s installation project during the summer of 2022.

Location: Eliot Church, 273 Summer Street

The Other Me / El Otro Yo / La Otra Yo

Photo courtesy of Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Andrew Tricoche

Date Installed: Summer 2022

Lowell-born Puerto Rican artist Andrew Tricoche intertwined Aztec and Puerto Rican cultures to create “The Other Me/El Otro Yo/La Otra Yo.” In the summer of 2022, Tricoche fulfilled the task of designing and painting this mural for Middlesex Community College in Derby Park.

“The Other Me” draws inspiration from the geometric snakes from Aztec artifacts with an additional component of vejigante patterns that speak to Tricoche’s Puerto Rican heritage.

This mural was created as part of the Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s art installation series during the summer of 2022.

Location: Derby Park (60 Middle Street)

Aspara

Photo courtesy of Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Mattaya Fitts

Date Installed: Summer 2022

An elegant Khmer Aspara dancer poses mid-dance in the center of Mattaya Fitt’s “Aspara” mural. The dancer wears the traditional outfit associated with the unique Khmer dance style, Aspara. Standing 25ft x 25 ft, this mural connects to the Boston-based muralist’s Cambodian heritage as well as to the Cambodian population that lives in Lowell. 

“Aspara” was organized as part of Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s mural installation project.

Address: Derby Park, 66 Middle Street

I Am Woman

Image Courtesy of Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Quest Nine (Kori Thomas)

Date Installed: August 2022

Quest Nine designed “I Am Woman” to represent of the strength in femininity as well as the multicultural community in Lowell. In the mural, the faces of three women stand in unison and strength.

Kori Thomas is a travelling artist under the alias “Quest Nine.” Based out of Nashua, New Hampshire, Thomas has worked on a few other art projects in Lowell, such as the street barriers of downtown businesses, artwork in the hallway of Sahel Restaurant and Lounge, and the Jack Kerouac Mural on Aiken Street.

“I Am Woman” was organized as part of the Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s mural installation project.

Address: Derby Park, 58 Middle Street

Rayo Feliz

Photo courtesy of Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Golden

Date Installed: Summer 2022

In his public art mural, “Rayo Feliz,” Golden painted a bubbly scene that looks out towards the Concord River. The 120ft x 35 ft mural includes energetic cartoon characters in front of the colorful backdrop.

Golden came to Lowell prepared for “Rayo Feliz.” After studying artistic topics such as graphic design and cartooning, the artist developed a database of nearly 150 characters, which he utilizes with the art piece’s environment and audience in mind.

“Rayo Feliz” was organized as part of Beyond Walls and ArtUp Lowell’s installation project.

Address: 24 Howe Street

Ocean Garden

Artist: ERA

Date Installed: October 2023

The vibrant public art project, “Ocean Garden,” draws upon the cultural origin and oceanic theme of its host business, the Ocean Garden Market. The Lowell-based artist, ERA, designed the window art to promote the Ocean Garden Market as well as to connect the store to the community within the Acre.

The window mural uses sealed house paint to fill the long stretch of the store’s windows with key elements of Asian culture in reflection of the business within as well as the surrounding neighborhood.

“Ocean Garden” was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: Ocean Garden Market, 504 Merrimack Street

Journeys of Perseverance

Artist Name: Jay Hungate

Date Installed: October 2023

Recycled materials and the weather bring three glimmering fish to life in Jay Hungate’s public art sculpture, “Journeys of Perseverance.” This sculpture consists of three hand-crafted fish on individual tall poles overlooking the Western Canal at Ecumenical Plaza. The scaly bodies of the fish were hand-crafted using over 500 cat food can covers that were collected by community members, and their colorful fins were crafted out of acrylic in reflection of the stained-glass windows of the Holy Trinity Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church.

This sculpture is a mesmerizing sight at night: small solar lights illuminate the fish, which turn like weathervanes in the wind. Hungate designed “Journeys of Perseverance” to celebrate the Acre’s history of diverse residents whose faith, hope, and resilience drives them to call the Acre “home.”

“Journeys of Perseverance” was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: Ecumenical Plaza, Western Canal

Vogue II - Soul Salon

Henry Marte / Marte Media via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Margarita Krylova

Date Installed: October 2023

The vibrant “Vogue II - Salon Station” mural recalls the liveliness of the hair salon that once resided in El Kareh. Between the iconic hairdryers, retro fashion, and depiction of the salon’s owners in a frame, this mural extends the memory of the salon to co-exist with the future businesses that will reside in the building.

The artist, Margarita Krylova, used the latex outdoor paint to paint this 28’x13’ mural on the side of El Kareh.

“Vogue II - Salon Station” was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: El Kareh, 540 Merrimack Street

Flock Together

Photo Credit: Liz Helfer via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Liz Helfer

Date Installed: October 2023

Artist Liz Helfer’s "Flock Together” provides an uplifting sight for the community that lives within the Acre. The installation is composed of laser cut 1/4” translucent neon acrylic pieces that are shaped as silhouettes of Massachusetts’ state bird, the black-capped chickadee.

Over seventy people wrote or drew messages of love for the Acre during two Community Creation Sessions at the Pollard Memorial Library and CTI Farmers Market. These messages were then digitized and etched onto the blue acrylic bird silhouettes, which appear as the middle layer amongst the other non-etched silhouettes. The silhouettes join as one flock along the chain-link fence that stands next to the Ocean Garden Market.

“Flock Together” was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: Parking lot next to Ocean Garden Market, 504 Merrimack Street

Creature Collage

Artist: Matt G Draws Things

Date Installed: October 2023

Cuddly and colorful creatures fill the windows of an apartment-styled building at 586 Merrimack Street. The window art, titled “Creature Collage,” echos the “energy,” “color,” and “abundance” that the Acre Placemaking Playbook outlines among other terms as key characteristics of the Acre Community.

“Creature Collage” is spread across the interior of four street-facing windows. For each window, Lowell artist Matt G painted the creatures on plywood that is help upright against the windows by a wooden structure. The enhanced primary colors bring the painted creatures to life along Merrimack Street.

This mural was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: 586 Merrimack Street

Tree Talk

Photo Credit: Kim Bernard via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Kim Bernard

Date Installed: October 2023

Visiting artist Kim Bernard’s vibrant public art installation, “Tree Talk,” reflects the spirit of the Acre community. The project uses 612 upcycled plastic gallon milk jugs to wrap collaboratively chosen words around thirteen trees in the green space next to the Mercier Center. The #2 plastic from the gallon milk jugs were shredded then pigmented in a warm orange color to serve as the medium for the entire artwork.

The thirteen words in this artwork — “hope,” “abundance,” and “community,” as some examples — were identified from community outreach and carried out through the Acre Placemaking Playbook.

“Tree Talk” was produced by Art in the Acre / TDI.

Location: Mercier Center, 21 Salem Street

Sophia's Greek Pantry Mural

Photo Credit: Project LEARN via Mosaic Lowell

Lead Artist Educator: Eric Allshouse

Artists: Nev Morin, Christin Ang, Ava Ingram-Rockwell, Branden Bonner, Pharrell Peau, and Raphael Freitas

Contributing Artists: Emma Burns, Ileana Mejia, and EJ Theng

Installation Date: August 2023

On the side of Sophia’s Greek Pantry, a wide-spanning 50’x10’ mural stands in recognition of the Greek community that began as one of Lowell’s prominent cultural populations in the early twentieth century. Lowell High School students designed and painted the mural in collaboration with ArtUp Lowell, Project LEARN, and the lead artist educator, Eric Allshouse.

Four Ionic-styled Greek columns divide five unique images: the Parthenon and Medusa, a Greek warrior in a chariot, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, two Greek citizens, and a blue-domed building, which is a key feature of Greek architecture.

Location: Sophia’s Greek Pantry North, 479 Market Street

The Bee

Photo Credit: Adam O’Day via Mosaic Lowell

Artists: Adam O’Day and Felipe Ortiz

Date Installed: October 2023

“The Bee” is the product of the collaboration between the two unique artists, Adam O’Day and Felipe Ortiz. The painted bee serves to continue Adam’s series of bee paintings and symbolize teamwork and learning, which suits the mural’s home on the side of UMass Lowell’s University Crossing. Behind the giant bee, the honeycomb and colorful splashes of honey is thanks to Felipe’s artistry.

This mural was produced by ArtUp Lowell / Project Learn.

Location: University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket Street

The Sound of My Patria / El Sonido de mi Patria

Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Evaristo Angurria

Date Installed: 2021-2022

Evaristo Angurria’s mural, “The Sound of My Patria / El Sonido de mi Patria,” honors the abolitionist history of Mechanic’s Hall with an air of community, warmth, and joy. The 75x60 foot mural acts as a lively backdrop for the Gates Block Garden.

This mural was organized by a collaboration of Community Teamwork, Project LEARN, and Beyond Walls.

Location: 303 Market Street

Otro Rumbo

Photo courtesy of Beyond Walls via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: David Zayas

Date Installed: 2021

David Zayas’ “Otro Rumbo” mural greets visitors with bright contrasting colors as they enter Market Street. Overlooking the Athenian Corner parking lot, this mural is dedicated to the strength and resilience of women worldwide who have endured hardship during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 Pandemic. The Puerto Rican artist and activist sprinkled symbols — such as a rooster — from his culture into the mural.

This mural was organized along with Evaristo Angurria’s mural, “The Sound of My Patria / El Sonido de Mi Patria,” by a collaboration between Project LEARN, Beyond Walls and Community Teamwork.

Location: 207 Market Street

Chrome Cobito

Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Bikismo

Date Installed: Summer 2022

Since the summer of 2022, a Caribbean hermit crab has served as a welcoming face to drivers travelling along the VFW Highway thanks to the work of Puerto Rican muralist Bikismo (Joshua Santos Rivera). This hermit crab is the main feature of Bikismo’s large-scale mural titled “Chrome Cobito” on the containment shell of the Pinanski Radiation Lab located at UMass Lowell’s North Campus.

The gradient ring of warm colors in the background was spray-painted by ArtUp Lowell muralist Golden. Puerto Rican mural artist Humberto Olivieri Ortiz also assisted in the creation of the mural.

ArtUp Lowell and Beyond Walls partnered to organize the installation of “Chrome Cobito” and other murals throughout Lowell in 2022.

Location: Pinanski Hall, 205 Riverside Street

Dream, Hunt, Make

Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Fonki

Date Installed: Summer 2022

The “Dream, Hunt, Make” mural by Fonki fills the gaps between the tall windows on Middlesex Community College’s Cowan Center with color. Fonki is a Cambodian artist from Montreal whose experience with graffiti turned into a career in mural creations. Measuring 81 feet wide and 82 feet tall, the mural was completed in 2022 as part of Beyond Walls, ArtUp Lowell, and Project LEARN’s series of summer mural installations.

Location: Cowan Center, Middlesex Community College, 22 Kearney Square

MESA

Photo courtesy of Tost Films via Mosaic Lowell

Artist: Sophy Tuttle

Date Installed: 2022

Measuring at 120 feet wide and 40 feet tall, the “MESA” art mural covers the front wall of Mahoney Hall on UMass Lowell’s South Campus. The Boston-based artist, Sophy Tuttle, created this mural in alignment with the common theme of nature in her art pieces. In reference to the acronym for the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, “MESA” features several endangered species such as the showy lady’s slipper and blue-spotted salamander.

ArtUp Lowell, an artistic nonprofit, organized this art project in coordination with Beyond Walls from Lynn, Massachusetts.

Location: Mahoney Hall, 870 Broadway Street