Panels from the summer Mystic River Mural Project are now installed on Mystic Avenue.* Here are iPhone photos from my visit plus quotes with links to rewarding resources.  * near intersection with Temple Street

“The Somerville Arts Council (SAC) has announced that the mural panels that were created this summer by the Mystic River Mural Program have been installed by the Somerville Department of Public Works.”( quote excerpt from Mystic River mural installed and ready for public viewing, The Somerville Times, Jan 25, 2023)

“The theme this past summer focused on Environmental Justice in the Mystic Watershed. We collaborated with West Medford poet extraordinaire Terry Carter who graciously allowed us to use an excerpt from one of his poems that connected with our theme called “Hard By The Mystic”.” ( quote excerpt from an interview with David Fichter in Mystic River mural installed and ready for public viewing, The Somerville Times, Jan 25, 2023)

“”Other imagery features the work of Green Roots, an environmental justice organization in Chelsea, MA that does extraordinary work to raise the environmental justice issues and struggles in the city of Chelsea, which is part of the Mystic Watershed.“(quote excerpt from an interview with David Fichter in Mystic River mural installed and ready for public viewing, The Somerville Times, Jan 25, 2023)

“David Fichter has been creating community murals and mosaics for over 40 years, working all over the United States and in other countries, including Armenia, Georgia, and Nicaragua. He has worked with youth of all ages on over 200 permanent murals, in addition to another 70 commissioned projects. Project highlights include: a twenty seven year award-winning environmental science mural about the Mystic River in Somerville, MA, working with high school students from the Mystic Housing Project“( quote excerpt from David Fichter website )

Carter, who refers to himself as The Brown-Skinned Poet, has authored five books of verse all featuring the title Brown Skin &: The Bread of Life, Beautiful Faith, The Brave New World, The Burden of Proof and The Brand New Day. He writes extensively about Black experience. (quote excerpt from West Medford resident Terry E. Carter named Poet Laureate for entire city by Kinga Borondy, Wicked Local , July 2021)

“Carter writes inspirationally about his journey through life and about growing up in West Medford. His poetry features all the beauty and ugliness of the unique Mystic River landscape, the neighborhood “hard by the Mystic” River, that formed him.” (quote excerpt from West Medford resident Terry E. Carter named Poet Laureate for entire city by Kinga Borondy, Wicked Local, July 2021)

KEY RESOURCES, links in red

West Medford resident Terry E. Carter named Poet Laureate for entire city by Kinga Borondy, Wicked Local, July 2021

Terry E. Carter-The Brown-Skinned Poet, website

Mystic River mural installed and ready for public viewing

David Fichter website, Mural Portfolio

Mural Process for Mystic River Mural Project on David Fichter’s website

MYSTIC RIVER MURAL PROJECT IS AN IMPRESSIVE ONGOING STORY

MYSTIC RIVER MURAL PANELS FROM LAST SUMMER MAKE POWERFUL CONNECTIONS