The Melrose Messenger

Utility Boxes

Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover

Last week, I saw two women painting a utility control box in Tewksbury and this had me reflect on the beautiful utility boxes on Main Street. The plain grey boxes that exist on many street corners are innocuous, just part of the urban landscape.

Mayor Brodeur partnered with Follow Your Arts Community Studios in a project, Melrose Makes, to develop a public art program and showcase Melrose’s talented artists. These projects transformed the mundane boxes into a canvas for gifted artists to create art and convert the box into an attraction.

If you get a chance to read the artist’s inspiration that is posted on the utility box mural, you get a glimpse into their creativity.

I enjoy viewing them whether I am walking by or sitting at a red light.

Thank you to the artists, City Hall, and Follow Your Art for brightening Main Street and giving all of us a chance to view these colorful art pieces.

Melrose Makes Artists:

• Evolve - April Jakubec Duggal
• The Pond - David Winkler
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Sheila Farren Billings
• Never to Broken - April Jakubec Duggal
• Blessings - David Winkler

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Originally Published August 29th, 2023

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