Commonwealth Places Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Community Mosaic Mural in Gloucester
$7,500 goal to win matching grant through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places Initiative
July 31, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com
Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com
Martha Wood, Mosaic Gloucester, 978-857-6731
martha.a.wood@gmail.com
MassDevelopment and The Society of the Encouragement for the Arts of Cape Ann today announced a new campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative for Mosaic Gloucester, a large-scale community mosaic mural designed to serve as a gateway to the downtown. The mural will capture the spirit of Gloucester with imagery focused on the local history and landscape, and will feature tiles created by Gloucester citizens during tile-making workshops. The project celebrates the town’s heritage and encourages future endeavors in promoting art and community engagement.
“Mosaic Gloucester offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to participate in revitalizing the community’s downtown through art,” said MassDevelopment Vice President of Real Estate Services Amanda Maher. “MassDevelopment is pleased to support this project through the Commonwealth Places initiative, which encourages community members to come together and invest in their surroundings.”
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $7,500 by September 12, 2017 at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate at www.Patronicity.com/Gloucester.
“What’s particularly nice about Mosaic Gloucester is that anyone can be a part of it. You can make a tile and have an imprint in the piece of art that’s going to go up on the wall,” said Mosaic Gloucester artist Lesley Davison. “This is a great opportunity for the people of Gloucester to come together and celebrate their own town in their own way.”
Commonwealth Places is a collaborative effort from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. The program has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.
