The Town of Vernon and a team working to bring public art to Rockville as part of a larger revitalization effort have joined together to bring a mural celebrating Rockville to a prominent spot on East Main Street.
Called “Threads of Community,” the mural is intended to celebrate the stories, history and future that unite Vernon residents.
The mural will be painted on the wall of Cornerstone’s building at 1 Prospect St. and will face East Main Street/Route 74, where about 8,000 vehicles and pedestrians pass daily.
The Vernon team, which consists of the Town of Vernon, the Connecticut Main Street Center, the Vernon Cultural District, Swiss Cleaners and Get Fresh Laundromat, is seeking input from area residents as it develops its concept for the mural. A crowdsourcing campaign to support the effort will begin soon.
To participate, follow this link to fill out a survey. The team is also conducting a series of “drop ins” to hear from residents and others about what “threads of community” means to them. Those sessions are planned for:
Week of May 11, Rockville Public Library, make comments during open hours.
Thursday, May 14, Community Room at Citizens Block, 30 Park Place, 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 21, Meet on the Street festival, 6 to 9 p.m.
"This mural is about more than just paint on a wall,” said Annie Geitner, who is leading the project. “It’s about connection. Each brushstroke represents a voice, a story and a thread that strengthens the fabric of our community. We want everyone to feel like they are part of something bigger.”
The team hopes the mural, placed where people will see it just as they enter Vernon’s historic downtown and the Vernon Cultural District, will have a major impact on the vibrancy of Rockville as it works to expand arts offerings and activity Rockville.
The Town of Vernon is involved in the project because it sees the mural as a way to foster civic pride, enhance civic engagement and beautify a public space.
“Public art has a unique ability to bring people together and create a sense of shared ownership and pride in our community’s past and future,” Vernon Director of Development Services Shaun Gately said. “‘Threads of Community’ is a great opportunity for residents to collaborate, connect, and contribute to a project that reflects who we are as a town.”
Community participating is an essential part of the project and opportunities to get involved will be announced shortly.
No local taxpayer dollars are being used on the project. It is being funded through a crowdsourcing effort which you can find about here.
More information about the Threads of Community project, including how to participate, upcoming events and project updates, can be found on the town website or by calling Geitner at 860-896-4296.