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The Portrait Project: a Chelsea Community Art Project for the Mack Building

Courtesy photo. The Mack Building.

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Doris Galvin for the information in this story.)

Renovation of the Mack Building at 110 Jackson St. is about to begin and take about 18 months to complete Now there is a community art project planned as part of it.

Mack Building LLC owner, Joe Ziolkowski, and his wife, Abby Hurst, want to do something creative and community-oriented to kick off the construction project.  The building is located adjacent to the Sylvan Building, which houses the WISD Young Adult Learners, hence a partnership was born and a community art project envisioned.

A group of local artists and educators have collaborated to create a unique community project that merges art, diversity, and inclusivity. Inspired by the #WhyYouMatter Campaign at the Chelsea High School, the project is designed to celebrate the Chelsea Community in its many perspectives, experiences and abilities.

The unique talents, attributes and contributions of students and young adults will be highlighted throughout the project.

The project will pair students from the Chelsea Young Adult Program and students of Independence Hall at Chelsea High School with artist mentors to paint abstract self-portraits. The mentors will range from full-time professional local artists to aspiring art students. Their role will be to work with each student to creatively and artistically capture the essence and beauty of each individual on canvas.

The “canvas” is a weather resistant 2’x3’ board, which will be displayed on the construction site beginning in early June for the duration of the summer.

Each participating artist and student will work together to create their respective self-portraits. A mosaic of the finished self-portraits will be a colorful celebration of our unique community.

“The boards have been prepped and the next step is for the portrait painting to begin. We appreciate the support from our friends in the community who have given us moral, financial and help with the painting process,” said Abby Hurst.  Hurst is leading the Portrait Project which is set to launch with an opening celebration on June 8 during the first Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights.

The project team is comprised of: Saundra Dunn, Katy Fillion – Chelsea High School, Independence Hall, Kelly Williams, Allison Mackie – artists, Susan Pickering Rothamel, Lolly Mandel – USArtQuest, Artist, supplies and work space, Tom Osbeck – WISD – Young Adult Program, Doris Galvin – community art network, Bridget Favre – Chelsea Area Festivals and Events, Abby Hurst, project lead and visioning.

A GoFundMe page was created to help raise funds needed to cover project costs. Details and project updates can be found at www.gofundme.com/portrait-project.

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