With the imminent demise of Portland’s landmark street art mural on the side of Asylum later this summer, I got to thinking about where the city’s next big art project should appear. There’s plenty of blank canvases and banal eyesores up for grabs in this town.
Here’s a fairly random list of ideas I found while cruising around on my motorcycle this afternoon. Of course, I’m not advocating any illegal activity. I’m just saying these edifices could benefit from some artistic spray paint.
Can you folks, out there, think of any other spots in this here town that could use a mural?
If you do, comment below or snap a pic and email it to me here at tbennett@bangordailynews.com. You can also find me on Twitter at @Troy_R_Bennett. I’ll publish your ideas on Bennett There Done That.
itself when Interstate 295 bisected it years ago. This blank wall under the overpass on Congress Street could use a pick-me-up. I think a Portland-themed mural would look great here. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
I don’t remember ever coming to Portland as a kid without seeing this Greyhound Bus sign painted on Pizza Villa’s wall at the intersection of Congress and St. John Streets. It meant we were close to where we were going. I think some street artists could really spruce it up and give the old dog some zip. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
This beige monstrosity looms over Fort Allen Park on Munjoy Hill. There’s a lot of windows, and it’s very high, but I bet some artists could make something of it — as long as they were cool with heights. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
This building is totally out of scale with the rest of its Walnut Street neighborhood. That crazy, vertical blank bit would make an excellent canvas for someone who likes to dangle from a rope. It looks a little like a Scrabble board. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
Raise your hand if yo think this wall at Coffee By Design in Bayside is beautiful. Anyone? I didn’t think so. What it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in potential. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
Once you get past the fence, this wall at Noyes Moving looks like an easy spot to make some art. It gets a lot of views from cars on Franklin Street, too. Troy R. Bennett | BDN
I honestly don’t know what’s in this big, blank building with its backside facing Cumberland Avenue. But I do know it’s ugly. Why not organize a crew of Portland’s best street artists to make it look 99.99% better? Troy R.Bennett | BDN
The Holiday Inn By the Bay — need I say more? Troy R.Bennett | BDN
Not all street art murals have to be king sized. These little boarded up windows at the corner of Fore and Union Streets could use some love. Troy R.Bennett | BDN