Page 14 - BusinessWest August 22, 2022

Painting the Past
New Downtown Mural Connects Springfield’s History with Its Future
ing that he and Simpson, a noted local artist, co- founded both the Spring- field Cultural Council and City Mosaic, a nonprofit with the goal of chang- ing lives and bringing people together, as well as changing the direction and conversation about Springfield from negative perceptions to something positive.
“There would be no
City Mosaic without John
Simpson. We formed it
because we thought we
could transform this city.
We don’t want people
to be afraid to come to
downtown Springfield.
We want people to enjoy
what’s down here,” Plot-
kin said. “I think this is
making a huge contribu-
tion of immense propor-
tions. This is a gathering space down here. Every- one should be able to come and enjoy good food and good drinks with the company of friends.”
By Kailey Houle
Khali Hernandez descended the wall, stood back, and reflected on his long day’s work.
“This mural is more than just a mural because of the things that are associated and attached to it,” said Hernandez, a local painter
who got involved with the mural painting at 241 Worthington St., facing Stearns Square. “A big part of history is being plastered on this wall. Essentially, what’s happening is the legacy of Springfield is being visually painted, whether people know it or not. You can pick out iconic things that people know about around the world. Springfield is the birthplace of greatness.”
The idea for a new mural reflecting Spring- field’s history came about almost a decade ago when Union Station was about to be completed and the area around Duryea Way had just been revamped. Evan Plotkin, president and CEO of NAI Plotkin Commercial Real Estate, has been a key player in the mural’s conception and production.
The finished work, formally unveiled during the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival on Aug. 12, restores the wall’s faded 1950s advertising art to vibrant life.
“John Simpson and I have been involved with most of the things that are public-art-related downtown, one way or another,” he said, not-
Photo by Mark Murray
John Simpson (left) surveys the new mural as it nears completion, along with Susan Riano and Khali Hernandez, two of the artists who worked on it.
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14 AUGUST 22, 2022
FEATURE
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