Public art committee reviews Ona Judge mural plan; HDC review set for next week

A proposed mural honoring Ona Judge drew detailed planning questions and technical review from the Portsmouth Public Art Committee on a presentation by Barbara Ward and artist Manny Ramirez of Positive Street Art.

Committee members said the project already has a variance and will go next to the Historic District Commission for approval; Ward said, "we got a variance for it to be as much as 28 feet tall and 24 feet wide." The mural would be made of masonry cladding panels affixed to the brick wall rather than painted directly on the historic brick, and preservation mason John Wostrom is coordinating with the fabricator on spacing and wall breathing.

The committee framed the case for the mural as both commemorative and educational: Ward described the work as "a really important teaching tool" and said the design draws on historical references — including a 1795 dock scene used for the background — and aims for costume and physical features that reflect contemporary documentary descriptions of Ona Judge.

Artist Manny Ramirez described…