ROCKLAND — Knox county youth will collaborate with professional artists in the conception and execution of a mural on a prominent outdoor wall in downtown Rockland this summer. The project is funded by a $5,000 grant to the Farnsworth Art Museum from the Emily and William Muir Fund and the Knox Fund for Youth Arts of the Maine Community Foundation.

The purpose of this project is to engage Knox County high school youth in creating public art in downtown Rockland. The project will be guided by local community mural artist Alexis Iammarino and joins with her ongoing community arts workshop Saturday Studio at the Rockland Recreation Center, which she has facilitated since 2012. Iammarino will be joined by two professional Baltimore-based mural artists, who go by the name “Jessie and Katey” and have been collaborating on large-scale murals and installations across the country since 2001. 

Local high school students are encouraged to apply. More information about the three-week mural arts studio program, which will take place from July 20 to August 7, can be found on the Farnsworth’s websitefarnsworthmuseum.org/teenprograms. There will also be two weekly community work days open to adults and younger teens on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. 

Business owner Richard Aroneau will be the “wall partner” for the outdoor mural that will cover the 147 x 20-foot Oak Street façade of his building at 318 Main Street. “I see this as an exceptional opportunity to support area youth and artists, the Farnsworth, and the City in their efforts to demonstrate the vibrancy and cohesiveness of our community.” said Aroneau in a news release. “I also believe this project will provide an outstanding experience for local youth, encouraging them to develop confidence, have positive and creative social interaction, and take pride in contributing to their community in a publicly visible way. It is my hope that other businesses and building owners will agree and follow suit.”