FAIRLEE, Vt. (WCAX) – If you are out and about in the Upper Valley, two huge murals that just went up are likely to catch your eye. A public art project in Fairlee has turned an otherwise drab underpass on I-91 Exit 15 into a bright and inviting mural.
“She is here to remind us of this really deep connection with the natural world,” said Matt Heywood, the Middlebury artist behind “Snow Sister.” The underpass connects the recreation and business sides of the town. “It just has this instant ability to transform a space and project the care and love that people have for a place.”
To the south, another huge public mural in West Lebanon now welcomes at the Upper Valley Plaza. Tyler Blinderman with WS Development, the real estate company that owns the plaza, says public art is a priority. “It’s about creating these really beautiful moments and it’s always about providing something for the communities that we are a part of,” he said.
“Saw this and said, ‘Hey hon, take a look at that,” said Duane Follensbee of Lebanon, who along with his wife, Terry, stopped by for a closer look. “I love all the different seasons that that are on there and the different critters that are on there, too. You don’t see too much of that around here. It is usually that graffiti art you don’t want to look at.”
“It’s beautiful,” Terry added.
Back in Fairlee, all four concrete abutments will eventually be covered with color. Fairlee Community Arts is spearheading that project thanks to a grant from the Vermont Arts Council.
“It gives people something to have in common and it cheers things up,” said the organization’s Miranda Clemson.
The Fairlee project is currently on hold pending work on the bridges but officials say it should resume in about a year.
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