ROCKLAND — Terry Pinto received a call one day while he happened to be searching online, trying to find a material that could remove some of the graffiti from the side of one of Director Pinto’s waste water treatment buildings. The woman on the phone said that he had a wall that she would like to paint.

Pinto had been considering murals anyway, as a way to cover up the graffiti that keeps appearing on the outer walls. So, he welcomed the surprise phone call and offered to make an appointment with her.

“I’m down there now,” came the reply.

Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, a crowd gathered to witness the unveiling of artist RayRay Rausch’s depiction of Amphitrite, goddess of the sea (Greek mythology). The actual painting, all done with spray paint, took her about 6 hours, she said, yet the creative design planning took much longer.

Pinto had a quick catch in his throat as he introduced the unveiling. Some of what Rausch had painted reminded him of some of the things his late wife liked. To honor his wife, Pinto organized the unveiling to be held on her birthday.

“RayRay, thank you,” said Pinto. “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

A crowd of about 20 people gathered for the unveiling, including several current members of Rockland City Council, along with a couple of former members. Harbor Trail Committee Chair Louise MacLellan-Ruf attended for the Trail Committee. A portion of the trail walks right past the mural at the entrance to Lermond Cove. MacLellan-Ruf said her committee has creativity, passion, love – everything along the way.

“This mural is in respect for Mr. Pinto’s wife and her birthday, and it makes for an excellent memory for everyone involved,” she said. “Community sponsoring community. Volunteers supporting volunteers.”

Rausch’s mural will be followed by another mural by a different artist, and is still in planning mode, its subject matter kept a surprise, although Pinto said it will be completely different from the one unveiled today.

And when that one is done, maybe another, and another. Pinto wants to fill any blank spaces on the property.

“As the emerging arts center, Rockland so deserves to be filled with as much art as possible,” he said.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com