(Nov. 6, 2014) The wait is finally over: Stephen Decatur Park’s mural will be unveiled this weekend at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday at 11 a.m.
The mural was painted by local artist Ann Ashman, who combined different elements from drawings done by nine Stephen Decatur students on what Berlin means to them.
Ashman started painting the mural in April during “Take Pride in Berlin Week” and she worked on it every Saturday in the summer. Students from Stephen Decatur and art teacher Kathy Mumford were instrumental in helping complete the mural. Mumford was involved with the original mural painted a few years ago.
“We are sorry the old mural was painted over. It had deteriorated and could not be maintained any longer, said Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen. We are thrilled with the results of the new mural. It has a lot of elements and depicts Berlin well.”
Decatur Seniors Trent Carpenter, Katie Collins, Jordan Kahl, Ian Postley and Daniela Romero, juniors Teron Tatum, Haley Trice and Brian Yount, and freshman Brittney Thompson contributed their artistic ideas to the process.
Trice said she participated in the contest because she partially grew up in Berlin and it was a way to give back to her hometown. She loves the parades and festivals Berlin holds.
“I am honored to have been chosen for the mural. I honestly did not think I would be selected and it’s very rewarding to know my artwork is now a little piece of Berlin,” she said.
Trice designed the wrought iron gates and sign that reads, “Berlin” on the mural. She was inspired by the historic look and identity of Berlin.
Yount said he wanted to show what Berlin was really about. He drew a Victorian house on a hill, bordered by fields and an old dirt road.
“Berlin is surrounded by agriculture and old architecture. I wanted to represent the history of Berlin with the old house and the vegetation with fields,” he said.
Kahl joined the effort after being asked by her art teacher
“I am really happy some of my design is on the mural. It makes me feel more a part of the town,” she said.
Kahl drew the tree and the girl blowing a dandelion. In her original drawing, there was an elderly couple on a bench and a sunset in the background.
Postley chose to participate based on suggestions from people who have seen his artwork. “It was overall a great opportunity and learning experience for myself. It is nice knowing I had a role in the final result of the murals design,” he said.
He has not seen the final product since he is away at college. Postley focused on peaches for his illustration of life in Berlin. The core of each peach contained landmark establishments or important buildings. The peach is commonly associated with Berlin and the establishments he depicted were one of what he said were core elements of what makes Berlin the town it is today.
Ashman has completed numerous painted work projects in Berlin including Siculi’s restaurant, Tex-Mex and Country Cookin’, Treasure Chest, Boomers and several of the hanging street signs. She has painted murals full time for the past 13 years and grew up in Salisbury.
The Town of Berlin Parks Commission came up with the project, sponsored it, ran the contest and facilitated its completion. A grant from the Worchester County Arts Council was another big help on getting this project off the ground.
In addition, the Parks Commission and the Worcester County Health Department will hold their third Annual Just Walk Berlin before the ribbon cutting.
“This is a really great program and the town is excited to partner with the Worcester County Health Department again this year,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said. “We expect even more people to participate this year because we’re now America’s Coolest Small Town.”
Registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by a warmup at 9:30 and a one- mile fun walk at 9:45.
The health department will offer information on healthy eating, physical activity, diabetes prevention information, and quit-smoking kits. The first 100 participants will receive a free “Just Walk” water bottle.
To pre-register for Just Walk Berlin, call 410-632-0056.
The mural was painted by local artist Ann Ashman, who combined different elements from drawings done by nine Stephen Decatur students on what Berlin means to them.
Ashman started painting the mural in April during “Take Pride in Berlin Week” and she worked on it every Saturday in the summer. Students from Stephen Decatur and art teacher Kathy Mumford were instrumental in helping complete the mural. Mumford was involved with the original mural painted a few years ago.
“We are sorry the old mural was painted over. It had deteriorated and could not be maintained any longer, said Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen. We are thrilled with the results of the new mural. It has a lot of elements and depicts Berlin well.”
Decatur Seniors Trent Carpenter, Katie Collins, Jordan Kahl, Ian Postley and Daniela Romero, juniors Teron Tatum, Haley Trice and Brian Yount, and freshman Brittney Thompson contributed their artistic ideas to the process.
Trice said she participated in the contest because she partially grew up in Berlin and it was a way to give back to her hometown. She loves the parades and festivals Berlin holds.
“I am honored to have been chosen for the mural. I honestly did not think I would be selected and it’s very rewarding to know my artwork is now a little piece of Berlin,” she said.
Trice designed the wrought iron gates and sign that reads, “Berlin” on the mural. She was inspired by the historic look and identity of Berlin.
Yount said he wanted to show what Berlin was really about. He drew a Victorian house on a hill, bordered by fields and an old dirt road.
“Berlin is surrounded by agriculture and old architecture. I wanted to represent the history of Berlin with the old house and the vegetation with fields,” he said.
Kahl joined the effort after being asked by her art teacher
“I am really happy some of my design is on the mural. It makes me feel more a part of the town,” she said.
Kahl drew the tree and the girl blowing a dandelion. In her original drawing, there was an elderly couple on a bench and a sunset in the background.
Postley chose to participate based on suggestions from people who have seen his artwork. “It was overall a great opportunity and learning experience for myself. It is nice knowing I had a role in the final result of the murals design,” he said.
He has not seen the final product since he is away at college. Postley focused on peaches for his illustration of life in Berlin. The core of each peach contained landmark establishments or important buildings. The peach is commonly associated with Berlin and the establishments he depicted were one of what he said were core elements of what makes Berlin the town it is today.
Ashman has completed numerous painted work projects in Berlin including Siculi’s restaurant, Tex-Mex and Country Cookin’, Treasure Chest, Boomers and several of the hanging street signs. She has painted murals full time for the past 13 years and grew up in Salisbury.
The Town of Berlin Parks Commission came up with the project, sponsored it, ran the contest and facilitated its completion. A grant from the Worchester County Arts Council was another big help on getting this project off the ground.
In addition, the Parks Commission and the Worcester County Health Department will hold their third Annual Just Walk Berlin before the ribbon cutting.
“This is a really great program and the town is excited to partner with the Worcester County Health Department again this year,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said. “We expect even more people to participate this year because we’re now America’s Coolest Small Town.”
Registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by a warmup at 9:30 and a one- mile fun walk at 9:45.
The health department will offer information on healthy eating, physical activity, diabetes prevention information, and quit-smoking kits. The first 100 participants will receive a free “Just Walk” water bottle.
To pre-register for Just Walk Berlin, call 410-632-0056.