Beaver street Art Wall

I wanted to take a moment and have a permanent place here showcasing the 80+ foot metal mural along Beaver Street, created by the talented Payne Junker Studio. What was once a blank, uninspiring retaining wall is now a massive, shimmering work of art that captures the spirit and history of our village.

This transformation was completed in 2022, and began in 2019 with a call to artists, inviting creative minds to submit their designs. Once submissions poured in, the community took center stage: residents had the opportunity to vote on the initial submitted designs. This collaborative spirit was vital, after all the mural was meant not just to beautify the area, but to honor Wilmington’s past and reflect the pride of those who call it home.

The goals of the Beaver Street Art Project were clear:

• Make our village more beautiful

• Create a destination and stopping point in Wilmington

• Pull the community together and reflect our historical sense of place

• Give value to our community

• Integrate the Beaver Street neighborhood into the flow of community activities

Looking at the finished mural, it’s safe to say — we did it. This project was truly a labor of love, made possible by the passion and dedication of our community. In early summer 2024, that spirit continued when a generous local came by and planted flowers along the base of the wall, adding a natural flourish that perfectly complements the metal sculpture.

A big thank you to our sponsors & supporters:

The Better Places grant team, The Vermont Arts Council, Rotary Club of the Deerfield Valley, Stevens & associates, The Richards Group, and an extra special thank you to Fred Houston, with whom this project would not have been possible.