Bantam Arts Factory Mural Unveiled
Celebrating Community and Creativity: The Bantam Arts Factory Mural by Danielle Mailer
Bantam Arts Factory Mural. Photos courtesy of the Litchfield Arts Council.
On June 29, 2025, the borough of Bantam came alive with celebration as community members gathered at the Bantam Arts Factory to officially unveil a vibrant new mural by renowned artist Danielle Mailer. Installed just days earlier on June 23 by the Lauretano Sign Group, the mural is already being embraced as a powerful symbol of Bantam’s cultural identity and artistic spirit.
The mural, a true community effort, was designed by Mailer and brought to life by more than 50 participating artists. Spanning an exterior wall of the Bantam Arts Factory, the work weaves together visual elements that honor the area's rich cultural and rural character. This joyful explosion of color and pattern reflects the creative expression and natural beauty that define life in Northwest Connecticut.
Community artists assist with painting the mural. Photos courtesy of the Litchfield Arts Council.
The project was managed by the
Litchfield Arts Council, with the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council serving as fiscal sponsor. Both organizations have championed public art as a catalyst for community engagement, and this mural stands as a shining example of that commitment. At the unveiling celebration, attendees enjoyed local refreshments including cheese from Arethusa Farm Dairy while hearing remarks from Litchfield Arts Council Chair Priscilla Jeffrey , First Selectman Denise Raap, NWCT Arts Council Executive Director Steph Burr, and Danielle Mailer herself.
The mural arrives at a significant moment for Bantam, which is currently in the process of applying to become a state-designated Cultural District, a move that will help spotlight its growing creative economy and civic pride. The enthusiastic community response to the mural underscores its potential as both an artistic landmark and a tool for cultural and economic development.
Among those celebrating the dedication of artist Danielle Mailer’s mural at the Bantam Arts Factory were, from left, Thomasina Levy and Courtney Murray of the Litchfield Arts Council, Steph Burr of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, Danielle Mailer, LAC members Priscilla Jeffrey, Kerry Burns and Michele Murelli, and First Selectman Denise Raap. Photo courtesy of John McKenna photos. Read more at Litchfield.bz.
Danielle Mailer, known for her joyful and mythologically inspired figures, has spent over 25 years producing commissioned artwork. While her early career focused on pieces for private homes and gardens, she has increasingly turned to public art over the past decade. Her energetic, larger-than-life creations can be found adorning libraries, hospitals, and civic buildings across the country. With the Bantam mural, she brings her distinct style and love for community storytelling home to Northwest Connecticut.
This mural is more than a piece of art, it’s a statement of identity, collaboration, and creative possibility. As public art continues to bloom across the region, the NWCT Arts Council is proud to support projects like this that celebrate the transformative power of creativity.
