Across 80 feet, Chelsea Resilient traces the rich history of this Massachusetts city from its beginnings as Winnisimmet, when Native American peoples fished and dug mussels on the banks of Chelsea Creek, to the urban, diverse city we know today. Across four centuries this community has repeatedly risen to overcome challenges and tragedies, responding with energy, heartfelt mutual concern, and an unquenchable drive to rebuild. The struggles and successes of each generation of Chelsea residents echo across history with a message of courage, determination, and optimism. Our past, present and future are linked in a continuous call to action and grassroots response, the defining character of Chelsea and its people.

The mural is the culmination of 18 months of work by the artist. A Steering Committee guided the overall design while dozens of members of the Chelsea community contributed to the research, provided reference images, and contributed their likeness to the telling of Chelsea’s story.

Celebration includes performances by the Chelsea International Band and Carmen Villalta’s Salvadoran Folklore Dance Group “Torogoz.

Funding was provided by the Chelsea Cultural Council through their Heritage Celebrations Grant program and supplemented by municipal funds allocated by the Chelsea City Council for art in the downtown.

Celebrate with us the completion of four blocks of roadway murals on Division Street stretching from Hawthorne to Pearl Street along with another big roadway design on Winnsimmet in Chelsea Square.

Following a concept by artist Liz LaManche working with Neighborways Design, individual artists painted designs scattered along the roadway. A Community Painting Day last summer brought in dozens of helpers to fill in hexagon shapes. Rugged thermoplastic was professionally installed where standing up to traffic wear is most needed.

During our “dog parade” this Saturday we’ll walk from City Hall through Division Street to show off the results.

Pearl Street Mural

Silvia López Chavez at work

GreenRoots and its team of ECO (Environmental Chelsea Organizers) youth partnered with Chelsea artist Silvia López Chavez for a new mural on the side of ROCA’s offices downtown. The design is a blooming garden made up of 33 national flowers representative of the diversity of Chelsea’s residents. The design can be found at Pearl Street side of the building at the corner of Essex Street.

Funding was provided by the Chelsea Cultural Council through their Heritage Celebrations Grant program.