Bank to match up to $3,000
in donations for the MLK Project
JEWETT CITY — Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation will be matching donations up to $3,000 to help bring the MLK Mural Project in Putnam.
The goal of the mural project, which is organized by RiseUP for Arts, is to bring 39 large-scale murals to communities across Connecticut, each representing one year in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each mural will celebrate the diversity and culture of the community, while highlighting the messages of Dr. King.
The matching grants from the Foundation will help organizers meet their final goal of $15,000, which will be used to create a mural at the Hale YMCA in Putnam. Expected to be revealed in the spring of 2022, additional events will be planned including community volunteer paint days and a block party celebration. The mural will be the 15th produced with more planned across the state.
President Michael Alberts said: “Public art and the works of Dr. King serve as powerful tools to acknowledge and celebrate our diverse community. We are proud to support this initiative and hope that our pledge of matching grants will help the project reach its ultimate goal.”
Dot Burnworth, chair of the MLK39 mural committee in northeastern Connecticut, said, “I’m thrilled and honored to help bring this mural to Putnam. I am fully in support of this project, both because it exemplifies the ideals and values I want to see in my community and also because public art engages people and brings them together. This mural’s message of equality and diversity is one that will reflect the values of our community: Everyone is welcome and valued.”
For more information about the state-wide campaign, or to make a donation to the northeast Connecticut mural, visit www.gofundme.com/f/putnams-mlk39-diversity-and-equity-mural or www.ctmurals.com/mlk39.