LYNN — Despite the heat, a crowd of people came together Wednesday morning to witness the dedication of local artist Michael Aghahowa’s latest mural, “Affirmations to my Community,” at 95 Pleasant St. Aghahowa collaborated with SPUR, a nonprofit organization based in Marblehead, on the mural and teamed up with former KIPP Academy students Sal Castillo and Elisha Torres. After they spent about five months working on the piece, it was ready to be shown to the public.
“As I was putting it up yesterday, so many people were walking by — families, little kids. Reading the affirmations and just hearing them say these things is exactly what I wanted. So, to know that I executed the plan.
.. that feels good,” Aghahowa said.
The mural was inspired by the theme of graduation. Aghahowa, Castillo, and Torres aimed to inspire people, especially the city’s youth, who pass by the mural, and convey the idea that any challenge can be overcome. The location of the mural was chosen strategically to be in close proximity to three schools — KIPP Academy, St.
Mary’s, and the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute — and the Demakes Family YMCA. Kimberly Nothnagel, SPUR’s director of communications and community relations, said that Downtown Lynn deserves the mural. “This place deserves this.
It deserves this level of celebration and excitement. It’s a reflection of all of the things that it can be and has been and will be in the future. That’s the best part,” Nothnagel sa.
