The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
MAILER’S MURAL
Artist’s latest creation features colorful fish swimming on Staples’ wall
TORRINGTON >> Overlooking the Naugatuck River as it runs along Franklin Street, set against the sky, a small school of fish have begun to appear.
The latest mural by Danielle Mailer, a local artist whose work graces other parts of the city center, is nearing completion as it is installed on the rear wall of Staples.
The work represents the culmination of a multi-year effort, according to Mailer. Fundraising for the project, she said
Thursday, began in 2013. The entire mural, she said, has been funded through grants, including those put forward by the Northwest Connecticut Council of the Arts and the Community Foundation of Torrington, and private donations.
“I am just ecstatic about it,” said Mailer.
A series of aluminumcoated plastic sheets were fabricated by Giordano Signs, and painted by hundreds of volunteers, according to Mailer, who ranged in age from 10 into their 80s.
As the pieces that will make up the mural were crafted, Mailer said, they were housed in the space next to the KidsPlay Children’s Museum in downtown Torrington.
Now, these pieces, emblazoned with bright colors and portions of the mural-to-be, are being screwed onto the wall by Giordano Signs’ workers.
Mailer said the project will likely be unveiled to the public the evening of Oct. 7.
She hopes that folks will come to the city to see the artwork, then visit local restaurants and galleries while they’re here for the day.
“I’m really proud and pleased, and I love Torrington,” said Mailer.
Paul Gibson of Giordano Signs said Friday that the installation of the 350-400 pieces that make up the mural would take a few weeks, and is roughtly half-way finished.
After Mailer shared her plan for the artwork, they were fabricated one fish at a time, he said, over recent years. Barring the need to make adjustments for imperfections in the wall and on-site obstacles, the project has been going smoothly.
“It’s quite an opportunity,” said Gibson. “It’s nice to see this area of town get something like this; it’s good to see revitalization, if you will. Every day, I’m very happy and proud to be a part of it, and I’m glad our company is.”
He said that he hoped to complete the work in September.
Mailer, in the interim, is coming by the site on a regular basis to touch up some of the pieces, according to Gibson — and, she said Thursday, dreaming of more possibilities in the area.
There are other large, white walls alongside the mural-to-be, including the back of Joanne’s Fabrics — which may, she said Thursday, provide the site for her to create future works of art.
“They’re empty and white and they look particularly naked,” said Mailer.
The mural, which is entitled “Fish Tales,” according to past reporting, was announced in March 2014. Other works crafted by Mailer include images of a cat and horse, both of which are located in the city and were fabricated by Giordano, and a mountain lion in Salisbury.
The planned trail along the Naugatuck River will run near the mural, according to past comments by city officials — allowing passerby the chance to take in the sight of a school of fish, bedecked in color, seemingly leaping from the water into thin air.