It all began one summer day six years ago. I had wanted to engage my daughters who were still in high school at the time in an arts adventure outside of our comfort level. The Volunteer NH! website offered an interesting connection. It was Cheryl Mitchell and her newly established non-profit group in Manchester entitled, Eagle Eyes.
Eagle Eyes began in tragedy as it was the untimely death of Manchester Police Officer and former Marine on bicycle patrol, Michael Briggs, who was killed in her yard as he questioned a suspect in a domestic disturbance. This led her to bravely take a stand to “take back the neighborhood”. A candlelight vigil happens on the anniversary every year in remembrance of Officer Briggs.
Over the years since that fateful day in October of 2006, Cheryl, husband John and her group of supporters (me included) have participated in the skate park cleanup and mural painting on-site (now with a new focus and revamped design of a new park in the works), neighborhood watch, yard sales, Thanksgiving and Christmas events for children and their families. Check the website for the latest planned upcoming activities and events.
The mural idea I found myself drawn to (no pun intended) came about as a way to further the “take back the neighborhood” theme. Along with getting to know like-minded people in the Greater Manchester area, the mural work began as a way to offset the blight of graffiti snaking its way throughout the city. I continue to work my paint brush along with Anthony Williams, a former VISTA volunteer, arts advocate and lifelong painter who is committed to using paint and brush strokes as his statement of choice in a positive way. Others have stayed the course and we now have a common denominator in a shared interest and quest. Change is slowly happening. People are noticing the visuals throughout on brick walls, garage and barn doors, and the sides of buildings.
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Many hands make light work” is a true statement as witnessed by many people young and old stepping forward to make a difference. Eagle Eyes and the mural part of the organization was featured July 1st on NH Chronicle. It was a great highlight for the group filmed on Litchfield Lane highlighting one area of the good works provided by this community group. Lance, a former ‘under the radar’ graffiti artist has brought his passion to light with bolder, inspired visuals. He was featured on the show continuing the painting of his underwater-themed murals on several garage doors.
The mural work continues this summer as twelve art panels were commissioned as part of a project to engage an eclectic mix of people in a continued theme of art building community. The Becker Family, City Year youth, Liberty House Academy, my daughter Tristen and her friend Liz, my sister Karen and myself, Cheryl Mitchell, her granddaughter along with Anthony Williams have succeeded in our joint venture. The conclusion for many was “I really doubted I could do such a large painting, but, you know, I DID IT!” A Four foot square area is a large surface but when all is said and done, the end product joining everyone’s masterpiece together, is quite something.
Deb Curtin poses with her parking meter.
And so our quest to integrate art into unexpected places continue. Currently on display on Elm Street in downtown Manchester are 6 parking meters artistically spray painted before being put in place. These are unique and their mission is to only accept donations for the New Horizons soup kitchen/food pantry/shelter. Another clever way the arts build community. I found my meter located in front of Cafe La Reine (A Queen City ‘new’ Cafe). I still feel a kinship with it since the time put into the project, figuring how to best use the spray paint and to make it artsy, was more time than I could have anticipated. No way you could preplan a design for a parking meter with its intrinsic pattern. It just had to evolve with the yellow, orange and green colors I chose. Please visit one and all and let me know what you think. It would be fun to make it a contest to see which one racks up the most donations.
In conclusion I would like to offer my encouragement to one and all to see the glass as half full. When you take one step forward towards the unknown you can either face it or turn around, walk away and say “I can’t”. All these steps for me are leading to places I never would have dreamed. It’s not so much who you know but it’s who you know at the right moment in the right place. We are currently working on an Art Auction, a Beech Street Block Party, a hopeful collaboration with the Currier Art Center and the Trolley Tour, more murals (of course) and The HIPPO is working on an article ready for an August feature.
We may not surf out on the open water, but Eagle Eyes is riding this wave as long as it carries us.
We remember and move forward to honor Officer Michael Briggs; always with honor and pride.
Debbie Curtin writes stories about people, places, events and other topics of interest that engage the reader. As a member of the New Hampshire Writer’s Project, Debbie keeps ‘in the game’ with other like minded people. She has been an artist and creative person all her life and uses the unlimited sources of inspiration that abound everywhere in her writing as another art form.