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Historic district commission tables mural at 10 South Main after debate over fit
Summary
The Berlin Historic District Commission tabled a proposal to paint a mural at 10 South Main Street after commissioners questioned whether the artist’s contemporary composition fits the district’s character; the artist offered to revise and return with new renderings.
The Berlin Historic District Commission on an unspecified date reviewed a proposal to paint a mural on the cinder-block side of 10 South Main Street and voted to table the request so the artist could revise the design.
Ida Wells, director of economic community development for the town of Berlin and representative of the Main Street and Arts & Entertainment advisory board, presented the application on behalf of building owner Mike Poole and said public art ‘‘is part of what makes our downtown thrive’’ and that hiring local artists keeps investment in the community.
Commissioners raised repeated concerns about the mural’s contemporary composition. Several members said the design’s large-scale, surreal elements — including a prominent heron and a hybrid deer/fox motif — distracted from the town’s historic streetscape and suggested a simpler marsh or sunset scene would better reflect local character. Commissioner (Speaker 3) said the bird ‘‘almost looks like it’s fake’’ compared with the otherwise photographic style. Wells responded that the work had received positive local reaction on social media and that she would gather suggestions for the artist to consider.
Evan Fitzgerald, the local artist identified in the application, later addressed the commission and described his approach as intentionally larger-than-life and collage-based. He told the commission he would ‘‘recreate something else that I feel like it fits a little more with some of the critiques happening in this room, but it’s still going to feel…comfortable to me,’’ and said he would provide additional examples and revised renderings.
The commission’s action to table did not reject the proposal; rather, commissioners asked staff to relay specific design suggestions and invited the artist to return with revised work or to contact staff ahead of the next meeting. Ida Wells said she would compile feedback and that the mural would be painted directly on the cinder block because the building is not designated historic.
No formal vote to approve the mural was taken; the motion recorded in the meeting minutes was to table the item (case 10-1-25-29) for further review.
Next steps: staff will collect design suggestions from commissioners and the artist indicated he would submit revised renderings for future consideration.
