<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3TVOV8_0v6lru4N00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3TVOV8_0v6lru4N00" width="1569" height="1045" ><figcaption>A new mural celebrating the spirit of New Baltimore was unveiled downtown on Aug. 21. (Katelyn Larese — MediaNews Group)</figcaption></figure>A new mural showcasing the city of New Baltimore was unveiled downtown Wednesday.The 32 foot-by-12 foot “Welcome to New Baltimore” mural is displayed at Alfred and Washington streets, on the building that houses The Local Goat and Creative Images Salon. Dozens of people gathered downtown to see the big white curtain fall and celebrate the reveal.“This mural is a story,” said Justin Rose, the artist who created the mural. “We’re trying to tell a story here, and it’s the story of us. It’s the story of this town.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2xezuc_0v6lru4N00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2xezuc_0v6lru4N00" width="620" height="413" ><figcaption>Artist Justin Rose stands in front of the mural he created that is now displayed in downtown New Baltimore. (Courtesy of Jim Hodson)</figcaption></figure>The mural takes on the look of a retro, classic postcard. It conveys a visual narrative from spring to winter of what makes New Baltimore a special place to live, work and visit.“It shows a year in the life of New Baltimore,” Rose said. “It shows our bay, our beach and our landscape and all the things we’re proud of.”Dahlias — the city flower — decorate the foreground. Anchor Bay is also prominent.“It shows the holidays and events that bring us all together every single year,” Rose said. “You’re going to see the farmers market that brings people together every single week, and all these things are brought to you by a lot of people that work really hard all year long or else they don’t happen.“So that’s what this is about and that’s how you create community. You bring people together and you make big things happen like this.”The unveiling was attended by Giuseppe and Angela Riera, who have owned the building at Alfred and Washington streets since the 1980s. Giuseppe Riera was involved in downtown development efforts in the early ‘90s and rallied for development of New Baltimore’s full potential as a lakefront community, commission Secretary Marybeth Jamieson said. Members of their family also came out for the reveal.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4IvJek_0v6lru4N00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4IvJek_0v6lru4N00" width="620" height="459" ><figcaption>Angela and Giuseppe Riera are surrounded by family members at the unveiling of the “Welcome to New Baltimore” mural. The couple owns the building on which the new mural was installed. (Courtesy of Jim Hodson)</figcaption></figure>Rose said completing the project was a team effort, but gave special credit to Jamieson for her efforts.“She made this dream a reality,” he said.Jamieson credited Doug Kubiak of M Tech LLC, “whose expertise and experience in materials and installation ensured an art investment that will endure.”“He advised on materials, provided the artist’s work space, constructed, deconstructed, transported and installed the mural that is the pride of New Baltimore,” she added. “His contribution as a valued community partner was integral to the success of this project.”The mural’s creator is a city resident and vice chair of the New Baltimore Arts and Culture Commission, which spearheaded the project. The idea of a mural was first considered in 2021 with inspiration taken from vintage postcards of the “Greetings from” variety. The commission put out a call for artists in March and ultimately awarded the project to Rose, who abstained from the vote. His work on the project involved extensive community engagement, ensuring that the mural resonates with the experiences and memories of New Baltimore residents, the commission said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2TZ8Sg_0v6lru4N00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2TZ8Sg_0v6lru4N00" width="620" height="413" ><figcaption>The “Welcome to New Baltimore” mural is installed at Alfred and Washington streets. (Katelyn Larese — MediaNews Group)</figcaption></figure>The Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce celebrated the unveiling with a ribbon cutting in front of the mural.“What a beautiful mural in downtown New Baltimore,” chamber President and CEO Lisa Thomas said. “And it definitely does welcome you here to New Baltimore.”The unveiling was followed by a reception at The Local Goat.“For everyone that came in from out of town to celebrate art with us tonight: Welcome to New Baltimore,” Rose said, to applause.Up next for the commission is a crosswalk/safe paths to school project being done in cooperation with the Anchor Bay School District. Work begins at the first location at Washington and Front streets on Friday. The project is being funded by a grant from Art on the Bay.In October, Paint the Tables II will take place at Maynard “Red” Aurand Memorial Park. Applications are due Sept. 11 and can be found at New Baltimore City Hall and the Parks and Recreation office.The New Baltimore Arts and Culture Commission was established in 2019 to help enrich the city by making visual, literary, musical, culinary and performing arts vital elements in the life of the community. The commission works to support economic development and tourism, and to expand the experience and participation of citizens with the arts.Commission projects are funded by a mix of grants, sponsorships, crowdfunding and general fund monies. The total cost of the mural project was estimated at about $30,000.Patrons of the arts who wish to support future projects may do so by contacting the commission at ncacc@cityofnewbaltimore.org. For more information, visit facebook.com/NBArtsCultureCommission or instagram.com/nbartsandculture.</div></body>

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‘Welcome to New Baltimore’ mural revealed

A new mural showcasing the city of New Baltimore was unveiled downtown Wednesday. The 32 foot-by-12 foot “Welcome to New Baltimore” mural is displayed at Alfred and Washington streets, on the building that houses The Local Goat and Creative Images Salon. Dozens of people gathered downtown to see the big white curtain fall and celebrate the reveal.

‘Welcome to New Baltimore’ mural revealed

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