Some of the backbone of the city is the beautiful decor like these murals. There are i want to say…read more16 in the city but this may be the earliest and best, worth checking them all out if you are in the city and have a chance.

There's a cool Miral that is in Keene New Hampshire cool city there's a lot of cool art I must say…read moreI really like this railroad one and I took a few pictures of it with my kids and it was just kind of a neat little art display that the city definitely has a lot of

"You used to call me the top You put me up on the throne…read moreYou let me fall with a drop And now I'm out on my own" (Billie Holiday) Fans of Game of Thrones know the Iron Throne in Westeros was made from the surrendered swords of enemies. Today I learned the White Oak Leaf Throne in Hartford's Bushnell Park was made from the Hoadley Oak. It was a dead 180-year-old White Oak tree that was a park eyesore. On September 10, 2024, it became the latest piece of public art to join the dozens of attractions and monuments spread across the park. Local artist Tao LaBossiere transformed that huge dead tree into a 9 1/2-foot-tall throne with ornate carvings all over its surface. The structure was sealed with five coats of marine-grade urethane to protect it from the elements. You'll find it on the east side of the park by Jewell Street. The throne has landing steps at the front, so you can climb up, and have a seat for a few minutes of solitude or an epic photo op. PRO TIP The Hoadley Oak is believed to be a descendant of Connecticut's historic Charter Oak. In an early act of resistance against the British, in 1662, Connecticut colonists hid their colony's Royal Charter in that tree to keep it safe.

Tucked away in the heart of Chepachet, Rhode Island, The Hen House is the kind of place you stumble…read moreupon by chance and leave wondering how you ever lived without it. It's not just a shop--it's a testament to the local artisans who pour their soul into every piece of jewelry, every jar of honey, every loaf of artisanal bread. You can feel the passion in every corner, where art and craftsmanship blend seamlessly. One of the owners, Kim, welcomed us like old friends, giving us a personal tour of her eclectic collection, a rare and beautiful mix of everything you'd want in a one-stop shop. We traveled all the way from Hawaii and found this gem--worth every mile.

What a cool little eclectic shop in the heart of Chepachet. They share all the local fare! Coffee,…read morehoney, ice cream, handmade items, canned goods, scents, herbs, art...you get the idea! It's a 'you have to be there' kind of store for sure! The store is well laid out and very inviting. You will want to try everything so bring your wallet! The hours aren't extremely prolific, so be sure to check the website for information. Enjoy!

Like much "contemporary" art, I generally don't understand it. And this piece is another that is…read morebeyond my understanding. They're nice rocks, A 7 foot tall one leaning on a 5 foot tall cubic one. But why that's art and especially why it's "Perseverance" that has anything to do with Abraham Lincoln, I do not know. The caption is as follows... Perseverance Darrell Petit, 2005 "... you can not fail if you resolutely determine that you will not." Lincoln is often regarded as a model for overcoming life's little adversities. He experienced many setbacks in life including: * Defeated in his first run for the Illinois state legislature * His first business, a store, failed * His sweetheart died * Defeated to be Speaker of the Illinois state house * Defeated for nomination to Congress * Defeated for U.S. Senate * Defeated again for U.S. Senate * Lost two sons - one at nearly four years of age, one at age 11 * Publicly maligned for his political positions Despite these stumbling blocks, and perhaps because of them, Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the most revered presidents and possibly the most admired American in U. S. history. [Review 15165 overall, 667 of 2021, number 21 in Connecticut.]

"Well, big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams…read moreMeet me in a land of hope and dreams" (Bruce Springsteen) We were having brunch at an outdoor table at Jake's Restaurant when I spied a tall skinny sculpture across the street on the lawn at the Hampshire County Courthouse. It's a bronze sculpture of a young girl cradling an injured dove in her right hand. The piece is titled "Hope". It was sculpted by local artist Greg Stone and dedicated in 2016. Stone said it "represents all young people in our community whose good work is having an extraordinary impact, and the dove represents our compassion and vision of peace for the future." It's a very cool looking statue and I Iove his message of youth, kindness, and hope for a brighter future.

The Bajnotti Fountain was unveiled on June 26, 1901, the gift of Paul Bajnotti to the city of…read moreProvidence in memory of his wife, Caroline Mathilde Brown. It is officially known as The Carrie Brown Memorial Fountain. The bronze central group of figures was cast at Gorham and represents the Struggle of Life. The commission was a result of a competition in 1899 in which eighteen designs were submitted. The winner was Enid Yandell, a young woman who had studied with Rodin and the successful American sculptor Fredrick MacMonnies. Yandell worked on the design in Paris. A plaster-cast of this fountain was displayed at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. It is located in Burnside Park, just across from Kennedy Plaza. Most of the time, the powerful jets of water provide a dynamic view of the park, the city and downtown. At night, lights brighten up this work of art, for many to admire.

"We've taken all you've given It's gettin' hard to make a…read morelivin' Mr. President, have pity on the working man" (Randy Newman) The American Mural Project is a 2001 nonprofit that honors and dignifies the American worker with the largest indoor collaborative artwork display in the world. The three-dimensional mural is a staggering 120 feet long and five stories high and it visualizes the last 100 years of American history through images of its workers. Some of the images you'll see are heart surgeons, farmers, steel workers, athletes, farmers, assembly workers, musicians, police and fire first responders, and even jet airplane builders. So how is it collaborative? It's visionary artist and creator Ellen Griesdieck saw an opportunity to involve over 15,000 individuals (mostly students) across the country to participate in specific art projects and the results of those projects were incorporated into the gigantic finished mural. A video we watched gave a terrific example of this collaboration. We learned that scores of students at an American Indian school meticulously hand painted red and white mosaic tiles that became the shirt of a blue jean wearing mechanic you'll find near the bottom left corner of the mural. Another great video interviewed Melissa, a Brooklyn firefighter represented on the mural. The American Mural Project campus is undergoing expansion and improvements, starting with the parking lot and entry areas. An adjacent mill building will be renovated and eventually connected to the mural room with an atrium. You can visit the mural on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-5pm and on Sunday from 12-5pm. Admissions are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and veterans, $5 for students, and free for children age 4 and younger. I have to give a shout out to Abigail, the young lady who checked us in, gave us some background on the project, and answered our questions. She was so enthusiastic about the mural and the stories about it, she was almost evangelical. What a great and passionate ambassador! If you love art, creativity, and want a real "wow factor" you won't be disappointed by the AMP.

American mural project is the largest collaborative artwork in the world 120ft long and 5 stories…read morehigh. It took 21yrs to complete it. The mural is a tribute to the American worker from heart surgeons to steel workers, athletes , farmers, assembly workers, Boeing 747 fabricators...and more.It seeks to inspire, to educate, to invite collaboration, and to reveal to people of all ages the many contributions they can make to American culture. That said, I loved walking through the gallery and the best view for a panoramic photo is probably the 2nd or 3rd level. And not to forget the 10000 watch mural on an aluminum frame... quite impressive!!