Inspirational Mural in Hartford Unveiled as New England's Tallest at 18 Stories High

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It is – as intended – nearly impossible to miss when headed into or driving alongside downtown Hartford.  The Greater Hartford Arts Council (GHAC) officially unveiled New England’s tallest mural this past week.  Reawakening Wonder reaches 170 feet, 18 stories high, and is described as “a true beacon of hope and wonder.”

Projects like this help to advance the visibility of art in Hartford while supporting the creative economy, officials point out. The mural is a part of the Hartford Creates program, a collaboration between the Arts Council and the City of Hartford. Additional support from Shelbourne and the Roberts Foundation helped to make this work of art possible.

“Hartford is a center of arts and culture in the region, and we’re so proud to now be home to the biggest mural in New England,” said Mayor Luke Bronin. “Hartford is a beautiful, vibrant, creative community, and we think public art is a really important part of celebrating that creative spirit and spreading that energy across our City. I want to thank our federal delegation for passing the American Rescue Plan that has helped make art an important part of our recovery, and I’m looking forward to seeing more murals and public art come to life over the rest of the summer.”

“It’s being dubbed as the ‘tallest mural in New England,’ and I’m certainly proud and honored to help bring that notoriety to the city of Hartford," shared Michael Rice, Mural Artist. “When I look at the mural, I see a local 10-year-old child named Sam, whose soul is magical and radiates with a glow of innocence and curiosity. My hope is that this wall will help reawaken the hibernating inner child within each of us, for we can all learn a lot from Sam. I know I have.”

“Connecticut has amazingly talented artists, and there is no better way to showcase this creative energy than with the largest mural in all of New England,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Public art is important because it not only creates beauty for our eyes to enjoy, but it also generates a sense of community, belonging, and civic contribution that makes us proud of where we live. I applaud Michael Rice for this beautiful work he created and thank him for this incredible gift he’s giving to Hartford. I would love to see more public works of art like this created throughout our entire state.”

Rev. Dr. Shelley Best, CEO of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, pointed out that "Public art is not just a form of artistic expression, it's a powerful tool for community engagement and social change. It brings people together, sparks conversations, and creates a sense of pride and identity in our city. For local artists, it's an opportunity to showcase their talent, make a living and make a lasting impact on their community. Let's continue to invest in public art and build a more vibrant and connected Hartford!" –

“Public art is a powerful tool to rally a community together and inspire joy, wonder, and innovation,” offered Matt Conway, Executive Director RiseUPfor Arts. This project, along with the many other public art projects happening will create the environment to attract people back into the city to enjoy the incredible assets Hartford has to offer.”

2023 is a banner year for the Greater Hartford Arts Council, with new and exciting projects throughout the year, including:

  • Street Stages (July-Sept): Enjoy 7 Street Stage locations where music, dance, theater, spoken word and visual art performances will be seen and heard throughout downtown Hartford.

  • Mural Walking Tour (Sept): Explore Hartford through Art! Many of these murals are deeply rooted in joy, wonder and hope and celebrate our diverse community within the Greater Hartford Region. Stay tuned for details.

  • Theater Week (Oct 1 - Oct 14): Theater week is for those who are looking to explore and celebrate Greater Hartford’s theater scene. The GHAC envisions this fourteen-day experience as a way to increase access and expand audiences to theatrical performances in the pursuit of healing, transforming and creating a community of belonging through the arts.

The Greater Hartford Arts Council has served Connecticut’s capital region for 50 years, providing critical financial and organizational resources to support the arts, as well as helping all people connect with the arts in their community. Everything we do is driven by the belief that art should be created with freedom of expression that disrupts, inspires, heals and transforms communities.

To learn more about the Greater Hartford Arts Council, visit https://letsgoarts.org/