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Council approves temporary wheat‑paste mural project for ArtWalk Gardiner
Summary
The Gardiner City Council approved a temporary community mosaic, “Community Faces,” using wheat‑paste on downtown buildings as part of the 20th ArtWalk Gardiner; installation is planned for late July and removal by October, with removal costs included in the project budget.
The Gardiner City Council on May 7 unanimously approved a temporary wheat‑paste mural project called "Community Faces" as part of the 20th anniversary of ArtWalk Gardiner.
Project lead Sarah Miller described the plan to photograph residents and assemble a community mosaic that volunteers would wheat‑paste onto participating downtown building façades. "One of the missions of Art Walk is to really bring together art and community," Miller said. Organizers asked the council’s permission to allow the wheat‑paste technique on downtown buildings and to proceed with coordinated installation during ArtWalk activities.
Councilors asked whether the installation was permanent; Miller and organizers clarified the artwork would be temporary. The installation is scheduled for July 26 with removal by October, and project organizers said removal would be included in the contractor’s budget. Councilor Veronica Babcock moved approval; Councilor Gaye Grant seconded, and the motion passed on a recorded unanimous vote.
Why it matters: The installation intends to celebrate local residents and boost downtown activity during ArtWalk; council approval clears the way for organizers to coordinate building owners, photographers and volunteers for the late‑July installation.
What’s next: Organizers will notify building owners and post schedules for photo sessions; Miller said photos will be taken during ArtWalk at Johnson Hall and at follow‑up sessions. The mural will be removed by the installing team in October.
Ending: Councilors welcomed the project and encouraged organizers to collect broad community participation.
