Wendell seeks to expand, protect public art

Officials in Wendell backed a resolution offered by town staff Monday night that aims to increase the amount and variety of art in public spaces, as well as protect those art instillations already on display.

A survey of 314 respondents spanning different ages, races, and income levels which was conducted by town staff found that the public art is broadly supported in Wendell. Almost 70% of those surveyed would like to see more art in the town’s downtown district.

“The thing is, a lot of our murals are ones people really love, they love them all,” town Planning Director Bryan Coates said.

The survey found that landscape art, murals, and architectural pieces are at the top of many residents’ wish lists.

In response to the survey results, town officials pledged to bolster and continue implementing Wendell’s public art master plan. The first step of the plan was conducting the survey. Now, knowing that it has support, town officials feel comfortable moving to more concrete steps.

In the coming months, town staff will draft a plan that they hope will create a cohesive vision for future art instillations, many of which they hope will bear common community threads and feed off each other in ways that boost continuity and local cultural impact.

“We’re in the early phases of drafting the plan and hope to have it completed by the end of the year,” Coates said.

In addition to constructing new art, Coates stressed the importance of preserving those pieces the town already offers.

Wendell has a “ mural trail ” that many residents already enjoy visting. It is comprised of thirteen murals painted on the sides of buildings that residents and visitors follow along with while walking through the downtown district.

Coates said that preservation of murals specifically can be tricky because despite being much-loved community landmarks, they are often painted on the sides of private businesses and are largely subject to the whims of those business owners.

He said that easements and other types of resolutions will be discussed to ensure a future for the town’s murals.

“These are the kinds of things we need to look at to make sure those pieces are protected going forward,” Coates said.

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