'Phoenix Rising' art project surpasses fundraising goal

July 22, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

White tape outlines the spot on the exposed wall at 5 Stowe Street where the 'Phoenix Rising' mural will be installed next month. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

Waterbury Arts recently met and surpassed its $46,000 fundraising goal for the "Phoenix Rising" public art project planned for Stowe Street to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene. 

The effort will install a colorful 22-foot image of the mythical bird on the exposed brick wall at 5 Stowe Street. It will be unveiled and dedicated on Aug. 27 at a community celebration. 

“Waterbury Arts is incredibly grateful for the support this project has received. It’s clear that the Waterbury community is eager to see more public art in town,” said Whitney Aldrich, a founding member of Waterbury Arts. 

Nearly 100 donors contributed to the project for a total of $47,633 and the arts organization has committed any funds beyond their goal to future public art projects within the community. Installation of "Phoenix Rising" will begin in mid-August. It will involve creating an image of the original art by former Waterbury resident Jessi Zawicki which will be affixed to aluminum that then will be anchored into mortar seams on the historic brick building. 

The image was inspired by the large phoenix lantern created for the River of Light lantern parade after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. 

More information online at waterburyarts.com.