FRAMINGHAM – Two artists with roots in MetroWest have been preferred to paint murals on two Sudbury River floodgates in Saxonville, but the community group spearheading the venture requires the public’s aid to raise all the cash to comprehensive the perform. 

Mia Cross, a indigenous of Framingham and Lena McCarthy, a native of Wayland, submitted the winning proposal alongside one another. 

A rendering of Lena McCarthy and Mia Cross' winning proposal for murals to be painted on the floodgates between 1545 and 1555 Concord Road in Framingham.

In retaining with the proposal’s suggestions that the artwork must celebrate the importance of the Sudbury River to Saxonville, the pair made the decision to highlight nature and wildlife in the area. 

“We have intended a mural that is connected by shade and repeating stylistic things that also shares our specific variations. At the heart of each pieces is our appreciation for nature,” the pair wrote in their description.  

Family members affair: Father-daughter exhibit: Doug and Mia Cross of Framingham

Sax Art, the group formed by local artist Sorin Bica and Good friends of Saxonville members Brandon Ward and Lynne Damianos, continue to requirements the public’s enable to raise about $3,100 on Kickstarter to be ready to paint each floodgates. 

The artists will be awarded $5,000 to paint each and every floodgate, for a whole of $10,000. The team has by now gained $5,000 from the Framingham Cultural Council and the Buddies of Saxonville, but started off a Kickstarter campaign to raise the supplemental $5,000. They are hoping to be absolutely funded by the close of the thirty day period.

The Friends of Saxonville Mills and the Framingham Cultural Council sought proposals to paint two murals on the floodgates at Concord Street. Pictured in front of one of the 30-foot 5-ton steel doors, from left, Lynne Damianos, Sorin Bica and Brandon Ward.

“We unquestionably hope we are likely to meet that aim,” Damianos mentioned, explaining that she has been marketing the get the job done on social media and achieving out to the push. “We are also asking the artists to assistance boost it for the reason that definitely they have vested curiosity in it as effectively.”

Damianos stated she is energized about the mural task for the reason that it’s the first in the group’s efforts to help bolster the village’s arts scene and make Saxonville far more of an spot men and women want to pay a visit to. 

A new household: Home is exactly where the art is for former Fountain Road artists

“This is just the initial of hopefully many public artwork initiatives in the place that folks would be ready to love,” she explained. “The to start with 1 is normally the most hard simply because it truly is one thing new, but we are relocating alongside.” 

Ward mentioned Cross’ and McCarthy’s submission was chosen due to the fact the artists were being local and skilled and showed the clearest link to the Sudbury River.  

“We were being on the lookout for anything that was likely to be dynamic, colorful and attract people’s eyes and focus to the floodgate and ideally make men and women smile,” he stated. 

The two artists first met at church in Natick and turned roommates at Boston University. 

They have needed to function on a project collectively for yrs, according to the proposal. 

McCarthy is a graduate of Boston University’s Higher education of Fine Arts and has painted all through the planet, which include Latin The united states, Europe and Asia, in accordance to her biography. She is a qualified road artist, painter and muralist and has a studio in the Saxonville Mills. 

The Friends of Saxonville Mills and the Framingham Cultural Council sought proposals to paint two murals on the floodgates at Concord Street. Pictured in front of one of the 30-foot 5-ton steel doors, from left, are Sorin Bica, Lynne Damianos and Brandon Ward.

Cross double majored in portray and sculpture at Boston College and her perform has been showcased in artwork galleries and shows throughout New England and New York, according to her biography. She has received several grants, some of which include a VSC Boston College Alumni Grant, the Blanche Colman Grant and a Mass MoCa Match Grant. A single of her works, “A different Woman Who Sat on the Couch Way too Extended,” was not too long ago set on show at the Danforth Artwork Museum at Framingham State College as a permanent installation.    

Visit: Verify out these 5 school museums

If the group is unable to make July 31 fundraising deadline, Ward reported they will have a discussion with the artists to see what is the very best way ahead. The conclude of the month deadline was set up by the team alone so it is open to extending it. It is also open to the possibility of completing one particular flood gate although it finishes gathering cash for the other, he said. 

Cesareo Contreras can be attained at 508-626-3957 or [email protected] Adhere to him on Twitter @cesareo_r.

By Harmony