Free Community Mural Painting Party: Help Paint the Next Mural in Northampton Saturday, May 13th, 1-3pm Location: At the Spring Farmer's Market Location: Pedestrian plaza between Thornes Marketplace and the E.J. Gare Parking Garage Northampton is getting a brand new mural this spring and everyone is invited to come help paint it. Join in for a free mural painting party for all ages from 1-3pm. This paint party is an opportunity for community members to help paint a new 100 foot long mural which will be placed on Northampton's E.J. Gare Garage, on the plaza where the Tuesday Market happens. The mural celebrates our local land and the abundance of produce that farmers grow and share in the Valley. This project was inspired by ideas shared by community members during a public art making workshop this past January at the Grow Food Northampton Winter Market. The lead designer and muralist on the project is Sharon Leshner. Sharon is a community-based public artist and founder of The Color Collaborative, a mural initiative, and local shared artist studio space. Sharon is teaming up with a local street artist named SELF to create the new mural. As an exercise in place-keeping, this project is meant to revitalize the location of the Northampton Farmer's Market and create opportunities for current farmers, shoppers, and folks who may not otherwise attend the market to feel a sense of ownership and participation in this space. One of the goals of this project is to spread the word about HIP/SNAP to more community members experiencing food insecurity and to create opportunities for them to feel welcome at the market. This goal will be helped through coordination with Community Action and Grow Food Northampton. This project is organized and supported by The Color Collaborative, The City of Northampton Paradise City Cultural District, Grow Food Northampton, and Community Action Pioneer Valley. All paint has been donated by Royal Talens.