Mural shows off Springfield saga
Dave Monroe
against.the.dave at gmail.com
Sun Dec 14 08:15:34 CST 2008
Mural shows off Springfield saga
Saturday, December 13, 2008
By PETER GOONAN
pgoonan at repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - Visitors to City Hall, ranging from tours of
schoolchildren to taxpayers, can now catch a snapshot of Springfield's
history by way of a ceiling mural which was unveiled on Friday.
Representatives of the city and the Springfield Museums Association,
and artist Ronnie R. Deziel, gathered at City Hall for the unveiling.
It climaxed a year-long $75,000 project that included repairs to
water-damaged ceilings in the building and the mural that hovers over
the main spiral staircase.
The mural traces the city's history, from the Indians and early
settlers to the modern cityscape, and includes the architecture,
inventions, and products that have carried the Springfield name around
the nation and beyond. The Connecticut River and downtown skyline are
prominent.
"The mural will not only serve as a daily reminder to City Hall
visitors of all the amazing things Springfield has accomplished, but
will also serve as a teaching tool for students learning more about
their community," said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "Springfield has a rich
history, and this mural is a celebration of that history."
The mosaic includes artistic references to Springfield's history, with
a bank of fog separating the old and new.
It features depictions of such historical figures as Springfield
founder William Pynchon, Everett Barney, Milton Bradley, and Primus
Mason, and such architecture as the Municipal Group (City Hall,
Symphony Hall, and the Venetian-style Campanile); the old City Hall
that burned in 1905, and Tower Square.
There are also references to many institutions and home-grown figures,
including Dr. Seuss of "Cat in the Hat" fame; the Breck Girl; Smith &
Wesson, Indian Motocycle, and a rolled-up copy of The Republican.
Deziel, of North Smithfield, R.I., said it was a challenging project,
"but in a fun way." He said he worked with local officials - with help
from the Springfield Museums Association - to paint the mural on
canvas that was then glued to the ceiling.
The ceiling repairs and the mural cost between $30,000 and $35,000 out
of the total $75,000, city-funded project. There were also repairs to
water-damaged ceilings in the City Council chambers, the School
Committee auditorium, and the mayoral office.
Rita L. Coppola Wallace, the city's director of capital asset
construction, said she had dreamed of a ceiling mural in City Hall
since starting work for the city.
"It took me 25 years, but we did it," she said. "It's a really happy
day. It really tells the story if you spend the time. The story is
Springfield."
On the third floor, just below the mural, framed pictures will be
displayed showing elements from the mural, said Coppola Wallace.
Deziel said the mural fosters pride and "sets the tone" for children
growing up in the city.
http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1229156433205570.xml&coll=1
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