Pickleville’s New Pup-Pickleball Mural Controversy: On the corner of Valley Street, a colorful new mural is making waves in Westville. Replacing a beloved artwork by Faring Purth, the new piece by local artist Perez depicts an array of animated dogs engaged in pickleball matches. The mural, an eye-catching part of the upcoming Pickleville CT indoor pickleball complex, has stirred enthusiasm and controversy.
Developer Harrison Blume is at the heart of this transformation. His vision for Pickleville CT includes not just indoor pickleball courts, but a vibrant community space that blends sport with local artistry. The mural is a crucial part of this vision, painted over Purth’s previous work which had been cherished by many in the area.
Artistry Meets Local Business
Blume, who has deep roots in the Westville community, sought to infuse his new facility with local flavor. His family’s connection to the neighborhood goes back three generations, with his grandfather establishing a podiatry office in the area in 1957. Driven by this legacy, Blume envisioned a mural that would brighten up the location and reflect the spirit of his project.
“I wanted to fund a local artist and come up with a new design that everyone was happy with. I felt that it needed a revamp. I wanted to lighten it up, to brighten that corner up.” – (blume)
He chose Perez, known for his vibrant, pop-culture-inspired artwork, after considering several local artists. Inspired by his Goldendoodle, Bennie, and the desire to bring a playful touch to Pickleville CT, Perez created a mural featuring a variety of dogs playing pickleball in a whimsical, animated style.
Community Reactions and Artistic Tensions
The disclosing of the new mural, however, has not been without its share of criticism. Some Westville residents were dismayed by the removal of Purth’s mural, which had held sentimental value for many in the community. The change happened swiftly, with no prior public announcement from Blume or a community consultation process.
Perez acknowledged the backlash, understanding the emotional attachment to the old mural.
“I get that the mural had sentimental value, that it had been there for so long. But let me say, on my part, that it’s getting hard for local artists to find these projects, as if there’s no talent in New Haven.” – (perez)
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While some in the community have embraced the new mural, others are disillusioned by what they see as a lack of respect for local art.
“I just think that there’s so much greed around how land is used, and it doesn’t really take into consideration the people who live in these communities.” – (local artist, Howard El-Yasin)
The Bigger Picture of Public Art
The debate highlights a broader issue in public art: the balance between development and community sentiment. Lizzy Donius of the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance (WVRA) notes that while the old mural had its place, Blume’s development and new mural also contributed positively to the neighborhood’s evolution.
“There’s a little … it’s a broader neighborhood story and consideration for us. We had two parameters: It’s gotta be art, and we were committed to the idea of a local artist.” – (Donius)
News in Brief: Pickleville’s New Pup-Pickleball Mural Controversy
A new mural by local artist Perez, depicting dogs playing pickleball, has sparked debate in Westville. The mural, part of the upcoming Pickleville CT indoor pickleball complex, replaced a beloved artwork by Faring Purth, causing mixed reactions. While some appreciate the vibrant new piece, others are upset over the removal of the previous mural without community consultation. The debate highlights tensions between urban development and respect for local art.
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