ArtBarrier Murals Beautify West Hartford’s Outdoor Dining Corrals
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The ArtBarrier mural designed and created by Samuel Ferri (pictured) in front of Zohara invites members of the community to try on a different "bottom half" by sanding behind a variety of "feet." Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Ichiro on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
ArtBarrier Murals were painted on May 22 in West Hartford Center, while Blue Back Square’s murals were painted the previous weekend.
Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Savoy and Shish Kebab House on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
More than a dozen artists took to the street – literally – as the second phase of creating ArtBarrier murals to enhance West Hartford’s outdoor dining corrals took place on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
The spectacular linear murals further enhance the vibrancy of expanded outdoor dining, and provide the finishing touch to the “gardens of eating” which already are decorated with flowers, plants, and colorful umbrellas.
From 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, LaSalle Road was closed from Arapahoe to Farmington Avenue, and Farmington Avenue was closed from Dale Street to Main Street so artists could complete their work. Most recruited assistance from family and friends, and by early afternoon the murals were nearly complete.
The public was invited to observe the artists at work, and families also took the opportunity to stroll along the closed roadways, and many created their own art with sidewalk chalk.
Two ArtBarrier murals were created the previous weekend in Blue Back Square.
Artists applied through the West Hartford Art League and were chosen by a jury to participate in this year’s ArtBarrier program. The artists included Sneh Detroja, Kelly O’Donovan, Brian Colbath, York Mgbejume, Michael Borders, Lindsey Schmucker, Wing Na Wong, Annie Hayami, Samuel Ferri, Stella Guggina, Naiya Gonzalez-Breen, Yvonne Espinoza, Stefania Munzi-Logus, Julia Fahey, Kiley Mattsson, Beth Reynolds, Drew Unikewicz, and Eva Blume .
Now that the murals are complete, the West Hartford Art League will be holding a contest for the public to vote on their favorite ArtBarrier. The artist who wins this “Peoples Choice Award” will receive a $200 cash prize. According to Executive Director Roxanne Stachelek, the details will be announced shortly.
The West Hartford Art League is thankful to Jerry’s Artarama for donating the brushes that the artists will use.
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Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Bricco on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Bricco on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Song on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Harvest Wine Bar on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Union Kitchen and Wurst Haus on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Union Kitchen and Wurst Haus on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Avert on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Division West on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fish appear to be eying a blueberry muffin left in an alcove in the concrete barrier as the creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Savoy and Shish Kebab House on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Savoy and Shish Kebab House on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of fish-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Savoy and Shish Kebab House on LaSalle Road on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
An ArtBarrier Mural at the end of LaSalle Road blocks traffic from going the wrong way. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Zohara on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Zohara on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Farmington Avenue and LaSalle Road were closed to vehicle traffic while artists were working on their ArtBarrier murals on Sunday, May 22, and children and other members of the community also had a chance to create their own art through chalk drawings on the road and sidewalks. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Treva on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front ofTreva on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
An artist works on the music-themed ArtBarrier Mural in front of Mecha Noodle Bar on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Mecha Noodle Bar on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Arugula on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Max’s Oyster Bar on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Creation of ArtBarrier Mural in front of Ichiro on Farmington Avenue on May 22, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
ArtBarrier mural designed by Sneh Detroja was completed Sunday in front of The Place 2 Be and Kaliubon Rame. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Drew Unikewicz (right) and a helper work on the ArtBarrier mural in front of Vinted. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
great use of taxpayer money having the police shut down and man the roads to multiple points of entry into the center