Published in The Bulletin
Matt Grahn
Norwich Bulletin
A new mural capturing the spirit of Greeneville is almost complete.
Work on a new mural in Greeneville, on the Norwich Public Utilities substation, began in March, and painting started in June. The mural highlights both the immigrants in Greeneville and the history of Norwich.
The finishing touches should be in place early this week, local artist Samson Tonton said.
The background of the mural is of the buildings in Greeneville overlooking the Shetucket River. Other elements are placed on top of it, from a likeness of George Washington and recreations of old millworker photos to a group of people to represent the diversity of Norwich and a trolley car with the Polish, Haitian, French and Irish flags.
“Everything you’re looking for, its there,” Tonton said.
The idea came after the mural by the Greeneville Playground was finished. The mural seeks to capture what made Greeneville successful when it began, Sankofa Education and Leadership, Inc. Vice Chair Shiela Hayes said.
Community entities that helped with the mural include Sankofa, Public Art for Racial Justice Education, the Norwich NAACP Robertsine Duncan Youth Council, the Norwich Historical Society, The Norwich America250 Committee, and Norwich Public Utilities. The mural was funded by a part of a $40,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
Tonton, Bart Jeczmiemmy, and Emida Roller worked together on the project. While there were plenty of ideas for the project, Tonton worked to keep things simple, he said.
“You want it to be as simple and as beautiful as it can be,” Tonton said.
People living in and passing through Greeneville have loved the mural, giving both compliments and cold drinks to keep the artists going on the hot summer days.
“They take care of us,” Tonton said. “We really appreciate it,”
Remembering Rev. Perry
Another part of the mural features four portraits of people who were significant in Norwich’s and Greeneville’s history; Connecticut Governor William Buckingham, Mayor James Greene, Acting U.S. Vice President Lafayette Foster, and Reverend Gregory Perry, who led the Greeneville Congregational Church until he passed away in January.
Perry served as the Greeneville Congregational pastor for decades, and was involved in significant city celebrations, and served as President of the Norwich Area Clergy Association for many years, and sought to make his church a community church, Hayes said.
“He was always a part of the fabric of Greeneville,” she said.
Adding Perry to the mural is a good way to honor his legacy, Tonton said.
The message
Greeneville and Norwich has a rich history, and that history includes the immigrants that came in the distant past, when the mills operated in the city, to the recent past and the present, with opportunities in manufacturing, casinos, and agricultural work nearby Norwich. The immigrant populations contribute to Greeneville’s success today, Hayes said.
