By Amelia Tieri In most cities, storm drains go unnoticed, but in Worcester, Massachusetts they command attention. In 2023, Worcester’s Sewers Division faced a growing problem: catch basins in residential and commercial areas alike were being overrun with debris. Rather than collecting storm water from the streets and dispensing it into a nearby waterbody,Continue reading “Street Smarts: How Storm Drain Murals Are Cleaning Up Worcester”
Tag Archives: Art
Artist Spotlight: Eamon Gillen
Eamon Gillen didn’t fall into art by accident—it’s been a steady part of his life from the beginning. His creative journey has been shaped by family, especially his mother (“the best artist I know”), and by the reality that turning talent into a career isn’t always easy. “I realized early on skill doesn’t necessarily transferContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Eamon Gillen”
Artist Spotlight: Aiko Itadani
A new mural near Burncoat Street Preparatory School invites passersby into a moment of peace and reflection. Titled “(Circulation),” the piece by local artist Aiko Itadani brings warmth, harmony, and imagination to a once-overlooked storm drain. Aiko’s journey with art began in childhood. “Drawing was how I understood the world,” she says. But it wasContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Aiko Itadani”
Artist Spotlight: Ryan Smith
For Worcester artist Ryan Smith, one creative moment led to an unexpected path in art. “In 2021 I screen printed my first T-shirt for the premiere of a movie my friend had made,” he says. “Ever since then I have been hooked on printmaking and other forms of art.” Over time, his style has naturallyContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Ryan Smith”
Artist Spotlight: Colomba Klenner
For artist Colomba Klenner, the drive to create has been with her since childhood. “Ever since I was little I knew I’d be an artist,” she says. Though she first pursued a career as a makeup artist, it was attending a mural festival in Montreal that shifted everything. “I felt this burning passion like thisContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Colomba Klenner”
Artist Spotlight: Savonne Pickett
For Savonne Pickett, creativity has always been second nature. “As a child I always had a notebook and a pen. All I would do was draw,” she recalls. Inspired by talented family members and driven by a sense of curiosity that began around age six, her art journey has been ongoing ever since. Her artisticContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Savonne Pickett”
Artist Spotlight: Britney Colome
Walk past the latest catch basin mural in Worcester and you’ll be greeted by a cheerful scene of plants and water, paired with a playful message: “What a Water-ful Life!” This bright, fun piece comes from local artist Britney Colome, whose passion for art and community shines through in every brushstroke. Britney says, “since IContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Britney Colome”
Artist Spotlight: Ellie Ellis
A colorful frog and dragonfly have made their way to the edge of a Worcester storm drain, and they’re here to do more than look cute. They’re part of a new catch basin mural by local illustrator and nature enthusiast Ellie Ellis, whose work brings storytelling and wildlife together with environmental impact. From a youngContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Ellie Ellis”
Artist Spotlight: Caoin O’Durgy
Two new murals, “Froggy Waters” and “Washed Away,” bring a burst of color and personality to Worcester’s storm drains. “Froggy Waters” is located right in front of Coes Pond Beach, while “Washed Away” can be found near Mill Swan Head Start. These playful scenes feature frogs, rain clouds, and a whole lot of charm, allContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Caoin O’Durgy”
Artist Spotlight: Fei Wu and Xiang Li
In Hadwen Park, a new mural catches the eye. A panda, painted in soft colors, stretches toward clear blue water. Surrounding it are bamboo, flowers, and a rainbow of color. The mural is called “One Family, One World,” and it is the work of mother-daughter artists Xiang Li and Fei Wu. Xiang Li started paintingContinue reading “Artist Spotlight: Fei Wu and Xiang Li”
Worcester Green Corps 