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Dream Murals: Public Art with Hartford Art School Alumni

Participating artists (from left to right) Sophie Groenstein, Peter Albano, Chris Piascik, Sophy Tuttle, and Lindaluz Carrillo. Missing from the image is Vaughn Fender.

Mural by Lindaluz Carrillo

Mural by Sophy Tuttle

Mural by Vaughn Fender

Mural by Peter Albano

Mural by Chris Piascik

Mural by Sophie Groenstein

Installation view of Dream Murals: Public Art with Hartford Art School Alumni

Dream Murals: Public Art with Hartford Art School Alumni

Silpe Gallery

March 3 – April 12, 2025

Dream Murals celebrates alumni of the Hartford Art School who have established successful studio and commercial art careers through mural painting. Working in public art, muralists often bend to the wishes of their clients. At the same time, murals can be collaborative projects in the best of ways—an opportunity to tap into a community and give it visual expression on a large scale. In this exhibition, six alumni transform the walls of Silpe Gallery into individual expressions of their artistic identities and visions—their dream murals. From autobiography to social justice issues and spray paint to three-dimensional assemblages, the imagery, style, and scope of each mural is unique, offering a broad view of contemporary approaches to mural art.

Participating artists: Peter Albano (BFA ’09), Lindaluz Carrillo (BFA ’16), Vaughn Fender (BFA ’05), Sophie Groenstein (BFA ’22), Chris Piascik (BFA ’05, MFA ’15), and Sophy Tuttle (MFA ’19). The exhibition also pays tribute to the beloved local murals and former student of the Hartford Art School, Tao LaBossiere (1968-2024).

The exhibition and associated programming are made possible with funds held by Hartford Art School Endowment, Inc. and the Alumni Advisory Council at the University of Hartford. Special thanks to Marina Bak for her design work in support of the exhibition and to student mentee participants James Allen, Lexi Baboukis, Sabine Carey, Ashley Ivanko, Charlotte Long, and Jacey Suttles.