The City of Ridgefield dedicated a new street mural at the intersection of Main Avenue and Mill Street on Saturday, Aug. 1, celebrating a public art project designed to beautify downtown and encourage slower traffic speeds.
Mayor Matt Cole led the dedication of the mural, which sits next to the Ridgefield Community Library and Davis Park. Studies have shown street murals can help slow vehicle speeds and increase driver awareness in areas with heavy pedestrian activity, according to a City of Ridgefield news release.
The project was a collaboration between the city, the Ridgefield Art Association and local artist Olivia Bonebrake, who created the mural in honor of her grandmother, Allene Wodaege.
Wodaege helped establish the Ridgefield Community Center, founded the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and played a key role in creating Overlook Park.
The project grew from a shared vision between the city and the Ridgefield Art Association to bring a street mural to the intersection. That vision became reality after the city connected with Bonebrake, who donated her time and talent to create the artwork.
The mural features a bright yellow and orange sun surrounded by tree branches representing the four seasons. The design transitions from autumn leaves to winter snowflakes, spring blossoms and summer greenery, with a bird's nest symbolizing new life.
Volunteers Maureen O'Reilly, Christine Devlin, Italia Laruffa, Greg Butkus, Melody Kranz, Marney Hefflin, Teri Corle, Holly Minich and Merrilee Asla Lee from the Ridgefield Art Association helped Bonebrake paint the mural during the week leading up to the dedication.
