Artist Spotlight: Maggie Grenier

“Clean Lagoon” by Maggie Grenier, 2025. Located at the Worcester Youth Center.

On Chandler Street, near the Worcester Youth Center, a cheeky green monster is causing a scene—in the best way possible. “Clean Lagoon,” a new catch basin mural by local artist Maggie Grenier, blends cartoon nostalgia with environmental education, turning a storm drain into a moment of awareness.

With her self-described style of “freaky, quirky, cartoony,” Maggie brings personality and humor to this public art piece. The mural features a lagoon monster holding a six-pack ring, standing beside a storm drain with a deadpan expression and a word bubble that simply says, “BRUH…”

For Maggie, art has always been a way to find peace. “I’ve been doing it as a hobby for about 7 years now,” she explains. “It’s one of the best ways to shut my brain off when I’m stressed or anxious.” Her inspiration comes from the cartoons she watched growing up with her dad. “I’m usually more drawn to villains from pop culture—there’s a nostalgia to it that brings back memories from childhood.”

In this mural, that nostalgia is paired with accountability. “The monster is holding up trash and calling people out. It’s a direct 1-on-1 message to say: ‘Why is this in my water?’” she explains. “The trash you see at the storm drain ends up in an animal’s home.”

This playful yet pointed approach is exactly what Maggie hopes will inspire change. “Hopefully it makes people notice the trash. A lot of times we’re caught up in our lives and don’t register those little details. My mural is meant to draw your eye and make you think.”

Maggie believes strongly in the power of public art to spark conversations. “It makes you feel more connected to the city,” she says. “There are people here. People with talents, stories, and a purpose.” And in neighborhoods like Chandler Street, art brings a sense of identity and pride. “It brings fun to the neighborhood. It gives people something to connect with.”

When asked what role artists can play in environmental or social change, Maggie says: “Messaging, messaging, messaging. Environmentalism can feel heavy or overwhelming. But if you can bring joy while calling attention to a problem, you’re way more likely to get someone to care and take action.”

“Clean Lagoon” was completed in partnership with Worcester Green Corps, Sharinna Travieso, and the Worcester DPW. It was generously funded by the Mass Cultural Council, the New England Grassroots Fund, and the FY25 State Earmark, allocated by Senator Mike Moore.

Stop by Chandler Street, check out the mural, and let it remind you: what we drop on the street doesn’t just disappear—it flows straight into the homes of creatures like our lagoon monster.

You can follow Maggie’s work on: