“SPLASH POLLINATOR #2” Lowell, MA
Mural for the Stoklosa Middle School in Lowell, MA . Curated and produced by Project Learn and “ArtUp Lowell.”
June, 2024, Project Learn invited me to participate in a mural creation in Lowell MA. The proposed surface offered a creative challenge with over 3000 sq ft of wall space over 2 walls meeting on a corner. This was a fun compositional challenge. The image spilled over the two walls creating an interesting visual illusion. I attempted to use a single continuous perspective over a “corner”
The main theme for this mural is pollinators, highlighting the importance of their role in our ecosystem. This translates an important message to the students and our place in our environment, thus raising awareness of a crucial lesson through the illustrative and creative art form of public art.
The students visited and shared with me during the installation. This is always an inspiring and humbling moment to share with the youth and offer a bit of inspiration and creative energy. Many Thanks to Ellen from ArtUp Lowell and the whole team from Project Learn.
-Felipe Ortiz
Video by Zach Heyman
Stoklosa students ‘buzz’ with excitement over new ArtUp Lowell mural
LOWELL — High above the intersection of School and Broadway streets, international artist Felipe Ortiz swayed across 3,000 square feet of wall space as he painted a mural on the Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School in Lowell’s Acre neighborhood. Over the course of 19 days in June, Project LEARN’s ArtUp Lowell program invited Ortiz to don the massive building with his signature style — bright bursts of color, bumbling bees, hummingbirds and purple wildflowers.
This newest piece by Ortiz, who is originally from Cali, Colombia, adds a fresh layer of beauty and cultural representation to the area.