A proposed mural is pictured on the Poole business building on Main Street.

By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Berlin Historic District Commission opted to delay a vote on a mural proposed for a building in town, citing concerns about its historical character and unique design elements.

At a meeting last week, Berlin’s Historic District Commission reviewed a mural, to be painted by local artist Evan Fitzgerald, planned for the exterior side of the Poole Building at 10 South Main Street. The wall decoration would conceal the structure’s unattractive cinder block and further the town’s mission to highlight native talent and prioritize artistry, creating a colorful and attractive place to live and visit.

Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director, was present at the meeting, requesting permission from the historic body for the mural’s placement on behalf of the municipality’s Arts and Entertainment Advisory Board. The mural would be funded through a grant.

The presented work showcases a marshy area familiar to the Eastern Shore, featuring wildlife such as a crab, a peculiar-looking fox, and a blue heron, alongside a visual of a young girl in a headdress strumming a guitar.

Wells highlighted Berlin’s commitment to local artistry ahead of the commission’s critiques of the mural.

“When we hire local artists, like [Fitzgerald], we’re not only showcasing authentic Eastern Shore talent, we’re also investing right back into our community,” she said.

Wells added that engaging pieces of creative work not only elevate the aesthetic nature of the town, but also have economic and community benefits. This mural in particular, she said, balances eccentric elements with a classic Eastern Shore scene.

“Art gives people a reason to come downtown, to take photos, and to discover our shops and restaurants,” Wells continued. “It reinforces that Berlin is creative, vibrant, and very much alive…This mural has a sense of story and personality, connecting our musical spirit with the beauty of the shore, while also capturing the quirky, unexpected vibe that Berlin is known for. It’s eye-catching, and it’s not something you see just anywhere, and that’s exactly why it’s wanted.”

The historic commission, however, was not entirely convinced that the mural is the right fit for Berlin. The body argued that the decor has aspects that are too “weird,” like the heron, which they said is much too large for the space, and a deer with a headpiece and a fox tail.

“What catches my eye is the blue heron, where everything is so real and alive, it’s almost like somebody just put it there,” said commission member Mary Moore. “Everything else is flowing … To me, with my art eye, with my background, what I see first is the blue heron. And he looks like something you buy at a garden center.”

The commission also noted that, to them, the scene does not align with Berlin’s goal of maintaining its historic appeal. The design references the Eastern Shore with its marshy backdrop, but fails to incorporate any traditional aspects.

The members note that the mural’s placement is on a cinder block wall and not in a historic building, and that this project would not fundamentally alter construction that needs to be preserved.

Wells pointed out that this initiative is similar to the Reverend Tindley mural on the Bruder Hill building that was completed a few years ago.

The current building facade is pictured.

“It’s just a cinder block, so it’s going to be painted directly on the cinder block,” Wells said. “Similar to Reverend Tindley’s mural, which was painted right on the cinder block, so this will be as well, because it’s not a historic building.”

The commission reiterated that, despite the structure’s non-historic material, as a team charged with safeguarding the town’s past, they are not comfortable approving a project that does not advance this mission.

Wells maintained that the mural would be a positive for the Town of Berlin and that, anecdotally, residents are delighted by the proposed mural. The economic and development director posted the mockup on Facebook last week, which has since garnered over 100 ‘likes’ and tens of positive comments.

For instance, Tony Weeg, founder of the non-profit We Heart Berlin, wrote, “Cannot wait to see this one.”

Main Street real estate company owner Jenny Sheppard commented, “Very tasteful and beautifully done.”

Towards the end of last week’s historic commission meeting, Fitzgerald, who had been watching the discussion live online, showed up in person to reveal his thought process for the design and give insight into why he included the  controversial elements, like the heron and the deer-fox.

The artist said that in terms of the fox with antlers and a headpiece, it was to display animals acting in a human-like way: prioritizing beauty and aesthetics, and “projecting a sort of status.”

“It’s a local scene with local animals, which is typically what I do,” said Fitzgerald, who also created the paintings on the interior of the 410 Social restaurant. “But also, the odd part of it is, it’s animals choosing to adorn themselves with other natural elements just the way we all have in every part of the world, like the headdress. My work is kind of like what if animals did the same thing. My work is enhancing the natural beauty to then project the natural persona …”

“Anyone can come and look at it and have their own interpretation, and I love that – nobody experiences a painting the same way. These are just local scenes of the area … I’m part of the community, and I want people to find beauty in it. I want people to be drawn to the image. Take pictures in front of it …. you have a lot of people coming to town, walking around. It’s just another way to draw people in a certain direction.”

In terms of the heron that the commission criticized for being too large, Fitzgerald said that it was purposeful.

“That’s intentional,” he said. “Playing with scale to make things look more grandiose and larger. Think of the Parthenon, with its gigantic sculptures; there’s a power involved in that. It’s something incredible. When you play with scale, it does something to us.”

The commission asked Fitzgerald if he could make tweaks to the proposed mural. The body reiterated that they liked the girl playing the guitar and the marshy scene, but asked for an alternative that they feel may be more aligned with Berlin’s historic charm.

The artist said that he would be willing to make adjustments, but would not alter it to the point that it is stripped of his personal flair and signature. The changes will be presented and voted on at the historic commission’s next meeting.

“I would be happy to tweak it and show other examples of my work to a level I’m comfortable with,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m not doing this for the check. It’s my town. I want to make the space beautiful so that my kids can be proud when they see it and enhance the street in the process. I can recreate something else, but it will still feel comfortable to me, and if you’re still not feeling it, then that’s just where it will end.”