Punto Urban Art Museum: Art as the Bridge

By Angela Carontino

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

Something is happening in Salem, MA. Something exciting.

I admit I had never thought to visit Salem. Witches just are not enough to get me to visit a town. But, stunning painted murals on buildings, AKA public art installations, now that excites me! I may be the only visitor to beeline it directly to the Punto “the Point” area of Salem in lieu of Halloween and witches, but I certainly will not be the last.

Truth be told, every popular city has its gentrified areas, the cultured regions, full of museums, cafes, restaurants and picturesque parks and gardens that tourists love to roam. Then there are the areas you may avoid, where the socio-economic differences become apparent, the dining options fewer and cafes seem to disappear. The sidewalks may require repair, and buildings may need a coat of paint. Yet, these areas are the homes to hardworking men and women, with beautiful children who like to play and who have all the same hopes and dreams as any tourist visiting that town. Every city struggles with having the “rising tide lift all boats” together. Salem is home to citizens that are committed to just that and are doing it in a most beautiful and inspiring way.

The North Shore Community Development Coalition (NSCDC) is a community development non-profit that invests in neighborhoods to create thriving communities. They are just one part of a collaboration of many to execute “The Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan." By their very essence, barriers divide, whether they are invisible or physical. David Valecillos is Director of Design at the NSCDC and described for me the action plan created in 2013 with the City of Salem to break down the invisible barriers in Salem.

1. Improve the quality of life in the neighborhood

2. Bring more private and public investments to area improvements

3. Reduce and eliminate the negative stigma regarding the Point area of Salem

First, the NSCDC started by buying the most distressed housing in the area and rehabbing it. They have invested 60 million dollars in affordable housing, and rents are restricted for the residents. They now own almost 300 units, with over 200 of them that needed rehabilitation.

“Le Quedo Bufeaito” by Don Rimx, “The Chrome Dog” by Bikismo, “Colorín Colorado” by Silvia Lopez Chavez, Untitled by Pixel Pancho

Villa Alegra” by Antonyo Marest

Next, a concerted effort was launched to reduce crime, create better parks, that were well lit, fenced, and safe for kids to play in as well as efforts to reduce littering. New trashcans were placed in the city, street sweeping was added to more roads, flowers were planted; all increasing the sense of pride local residents had for the Point area. Improvement of the sidewalks in the area was completed, and the necessary removal of some trees was completed. A few streets were paved, and additional lighting added. The rehabilitation of housing also aided in these efforts.

The Punto Urban Art Museum is one of the many art projects that was created to remove the negative stigma regarding the Point neighborhood. The open-air museum contains 75 Large-scale murals featuring 40 worldrenowned and 25 local artists, and growing! Art as the Bridge.

The Picasso like wall mural is Untitled by Belin

“Super Dali” by Sipros

Turning left onto Peabody Street and you are greeted by “Super Dali," by international artist Sipros, which depicts Dali as an oversized superhero complete with a yellow and blue cape and face mask.

Further down the lane, a courtyard on the right is home to four enormous murals on the various brick building walls. “The Chrome Dog” by Puerto Rican artist Bikismo will make you grin from ear to ear, while the mosaic pieces of “Le Quedo Bufeaito” by Don Rimx will have you transfixed as you continuously discover new elements.

“Love Child” by Chor Boogie

photo by Angela Carontino

“Love Child” by Chor Boogie has a fantastical quality hard to describe, but quickly felt as you stand to look up at the towering, colorful work of art. If you stay and study it long enough, you are rewarded by discovering hidden images of birds, clouds, and mountains. “Cat Witch” on Congress Street by Spanish artist Okuda is colorful, geometric and bursts with exuberant color. His style is evocative of great graphic art, a mix of street and glossy catalog all in one.

“So Pretty it Hurts” by Local Artist

As you journey further down Peabody Street, you encounter the “Local Emerging Artists Wall Project." The murals here feature art and images as varied as the people who created them. The NSCDC website explains, "Every year, there is a call for artists, 25 New England based artists get selected to paint an 8 x 8 feet panel.” This is a real treat as each panel is so different, and each artist is exceptionally talented. It is like being at open mic night for artists! “So Pretty it Hurts” by a local artist features a cat with a bad hair day, looking entirely frazzled. I think we can all relate!

“The Queen of the Block” by Mr Cenz

“The Queen of the Block” is an extremely impressive mural by Mr Cenz, an artist from the UK. His arresting image has motion and electric color, and you can feel the strength in the woman he has painted. It also evokes a futuristic video game quality, while conveying joy at the same time.

“Life’s Short, Cake First” by Meg Zany

Much of the street art and murals are not readily revealed, you will need to hunt down alleys, turn corners to discover the hidden places. Turn a corner, and there is the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon character. You had no idea she was going to make an appearance, but you sure are happy she did! This is art not just for curious visitors, but for the people who call the Point home. The pride of the residents and families can be felt as they watch you explore unbridled creativity.

Foreground “Untitled” by CZR PRZ Background “Untitled” by Edward Granger

Beauty comes in so many forms, and a walk down many streets can bring you to tears. A walk down the streets of Punto is inspiring and hopeful. The collaboration of so many artists and residents for a common cause to create positive, sustained results is beautiful indeed. Although you can see the partnership, it is what you feel that will move you.

“Eternal Vibrations” by Trek6

Untitled by Pixel Pancho

“Boogie Bird” by Chor Boogie

“Migrar” by Felipe Ortiz & Ivan Salazar

“Golden” by Spiros“

“Police Bots” by MTO

“Garden Boy” by Pixel Poncho

“Cat Witch” by Okuda

Emerging Artists Wall Project- closest one shown of woman in blue and white is “Areta” by Local Artist

photo by Angela Carontino

“Untitled” by CPWon

photo by Angela Carontino

The North Shore CDC is located at 96 Lafayette St, Salem, MA. Murals pepper the buildings and walls of the surrounding neighborhood. Follow them at @urban.art.museum on Instagram and learn more about the Punto Urban Art Museum at http://puntourbanartmuseum.org. To learn more about The Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan, visit http://northshorecdc.org.