Effort on to bring creativity to downtown

Mural being painted on former Pierson Coal Building

CROMWELL — The historic downtown is suddenly blossoming anew, thanks to an effort that is using public art to help bring people back to the area.

Work is underway to paint a mural on an exterior wall in the former Pierson Coal Building, which most recently has been used as a garage for the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Other projects are in the planning stages, with discussions underway to include the town schools in the effort, which is being conducted by the Cromwell Creative District.

The CCD is an outgrowth of a program created by the National Endowment for the Arts that seeks to use the arts — among other components — to help foster an economic renaissance of blighted urban or smalltown rural main streets.

The district is intended to serve as “a hub for creative development and economic activity in an effort to enhance downtown Cromwell,” the group’s chairman — and town councilor — James Demitriades said.

The district includes the Riverfront and Downtown Main Street area that runs along Route 99/Main Street and encompasses the town’s historic downtown that is grouped in and around the intersection of West and Main streets.

The CCD, which includes a number of likeminded residents, brought its idea to Mayor Enzo Faienza last year.

He was “very interested” in the idea.

When the group asked Demetriades to join them, “he took up the gauntlet,” according to Ann Grasso, an architect and vice chairwoman of the district.

Demetriades brought the district members to the Town Council, where they laid out their proposal to both the council and Town Manager Anthony J. Salvatore.

The creative district’s proposal won the unanimous approval of the council, Grasso said.

“I am pleased to support this endeavor,” Salvatore said.

“And particularly if it brings more people down to that section of town and supports our local businesses that are located there,” he said.

The CCD is affiliated with the Cromwell Arts Alliance, Grasso said.

But the district has a separate and distinct goal — to serve as “an economic driver” to draw people to the downtown, Grasso said.

“With the backing of the council, we decided to move forward with some alacrity,” Grasso said.

Hence the project to paint a mural on the western wall of former sewer garage.

The work is being done by New Yorkbased artist David “DS7” Taylor.

He was chosen from among a number of applicants, Grasso said.

Work on the mural began Monday.

The district lost a day Tuesday, but weather permitting, the project will be completed by week’s end.

Meanwhile, “We have a number of other irons in the fire,” Grasso said.

On Monday, Grasso met with Superintendent of Schools Enza Macri about involving the school system’s Arts Honor Society in some of the developing projects.

“The whole point is to get the town involved,” Grasso said.

Accordingly, Grasso is especially pleased the Mattabassett District has stepped forward and asked the CCD to decorate its pump station.

The CCD also created banners that will define the northern and southern borders of the creative district.

The northern banner will be flown at Valour Green while the southern banner will fly at the entrance to the town at Exit 18 off Route 9.

Contributed photo Work is underway to paint a mural on an exterior wall in the former Pierson Coal Building in Middletown.