Pirate Dance by Caoin O'Durgy: Taking inspiration from the pirate museum, I have created an illustration of pirates dancing. There are also underlying queer themes that are emphasized by the queer nature of pirates themselves.
Yokai Yatai by Daphne Powers: My proposed mural is an image of a Japanese food cart, or yatai, with several strange creatures sitting having a bite to eat. A woman in a kimono is just leaving her seat, next to a fox and a fish and a frog. I made this piece because I am fascinated by Japanese culture, and I liked the idea of including animal characters from Japanese folklore in a fantastical setting. The piece is meant to draw the viewer into a mysterious mythical night life, eating sushi and ramen next to curious characters from Japanese folklore.
A Love Letter From Me To You by Colomba Klenner: For my sketch I adapted a small drawing I made a couple years ago into a a horizontal mural. I made that sketch painting when I went to Salem for the first time and fell absolutely in love with it. The city was full of playful magic and I felt right at home. It would mean a lot to me to bring this little gouache drawing to life by creating a mural in the place that it was inspired by. I call it "A Love Letter from Me to You" and it's a representation of the whimsy I felt the first time I went to Salem. The painting depicts a whimsical heart immersed in a glowing mushroom forest. I want the viewers to feel immersed and see a surrealistic mystical representation of what it feels like to be in a unique place like Salem.
Construction Time Again by Bruce Orr: The imagery, mostly construction vehicles, many of which are carrying art supplies represent the creative community of the north shore, rebuilding in the face of great adversity. The characters in the mural are marching collectively to build something together. Having done the mural slam before, that's what the event means to me, different voices lifting each other up creatively. I would also invite teens from my InkWell programs to stop by and help paint, in short 15 minute shifts if allowed, to be a part of the public art process.
Peeking Pigeons by Jennifer Wackerle: I feel strongly about the underappreciated animals. Those living in cities like Salem can often be overlooked. Our pigeon, Squaberta, has cemented pigeons as city ambassadors in my mind. Domesticated and later abandoned by humans, they remain a constant in our urban lives.
Peace, Love, & Music by Howie Green: Peace, love & music is an idea that has been floating around since the Woodstock days of the 1960's. My icon Pop Art art style is a fun colorful retro style that helps present the concept that music and creativity can bring us together, which is something more relevant not than ever.
Jess Clark Mural: The mural bursts with vibrant, bold colors, each face rendered in a dynamic mix of electric blues, cool turquoises, fiery oranges, vivid pinks, and deep purples. The abstract faces emerge from swirling patterns and geometric shapes, their features exaggerated and fluid—eyes large, lips curved in expressive forms, noses sharp or soft, all blending into one another like a kaleidoscope of human emotion. These faces are not defined by realistic details, but by energetic splashes of color that seem to pulse with life, representing the many people we encounter in our daily lives—some familiar, others fleeting, yet all contributing to the vibrant tapestry of human connection. The faces overlap, sometimes merging into one another, symbolizing the fleeting nature of these encounters. The intense color palette evokes the intensity and diversity of experiences we have with others, from quick glances on the street to brief interactions at work or with strangers, all woven into the fabric of our daily existence. The mural is a celebration of the invisible connections we share with those we pass by, reminding us that every person, even in the briefest encounter, leaves an impression.
Bee Boys by Max Pro: I want to draw dancing bees - with a pun on Bee-Boy. Bees are my signature character, because they are important to our present and our future. Caring about the environment in a playful and relatable way. I think this relates to Salem because the well being of the earth and it's pollinators is important to everyone.
Basking in Spirit's Flow by Naijah Garrett: The focus of my piece surrounds the relationship between us in the physical realm and our ancestors beyond. The piece invokes the support and presence of the ancestors as we move throughout our daily task, trials, and challenges. The subject of the piece is a young woman of color holding a basket with her ancestors both looking out for her and beyond what she can physically see or understand. This piece relates to Salem as Salem has been a pivotal place for multiple spiritual practices and communications with past loved ones. Through this piece I hope to represent their presence in our day to day lives. The orientation of the drawing is vertical, however I am able to make a horizontal version that retains the image’s integrity.
Clementine and Straga by Paige Doyle-Elwell: I would like to share a piece with public that is charming and playful. I think it is important in these current time to still have a bit of silliness. So I was to make a mural of an orange, chubby, dragon. This piece is important to me be because it is a representation of childhood wonder.
Salem's Creativity by Sarah Egan: My goal with this project is to create a mural that is similar in style to the looseness and joy of my sketchbook pages. My proposal combines a page from my sketchbook that emphasizes the Arts with Salem landmarks to make it the perfect theme for the Mural Slam. In the sketch, a woman sits on a quilted chair holding a pencil, surrounded by collage-like elements of varying landscapes, quilt patterns, and Salem landmarks. (Reference photos for Salem landmarks are the Winter Island Lighthouse and Salem Witch Trial Memorial houses). The bright colors and shapes around the piece convey the importance and vibrancy of the Arts and Salem community.
Family of Three by Bobbie Smith: In 2023 I had a beautiful daughter. My significant other and I could not love and cherish her more. My focus for this piece was to take a subject I draw quite frequently which is drippy mushrooms with extra linework, and tie in my own little family. This piece is a large step in the path of motherhood where I am stepping out and attempting to reconnect with my love of art which is a large part of my being. However I still wanted to incorporate the largest part of me which is my little family of three. I am who I am because of I have them. This piece showcases a little mushroom “family” in my style overlooking cotton candy skies. Salem and the cities surrounding it are home and they get to experience raising my family with me.
