On Thursday, October 2, 2024, Southington residents were made aware of a proposal that would erase a powerful cultural touchstone within our community: the Southington Unity Mural.

• The mural was designed and created by town residents.
• The mural is located on the High Street side of the 70 N. Main Street building, on a wall generously donated by Ron Serafino.
• Titled Building a Community For All, the existing mural was installed in September 2021 and depicts the likenesses of Southington children, along with the message of “love, joy, and belonging.”
• The Southington Unity Mural is part of the MLK39 Project.  Which is a mural project that is in 39 other CT towns, including West Hartfords Blue Back Square.

The mural has cultural, historical, educational and artistic value essential to the public good of the Southington community and a diverse society.

• The mural represents the collective vision of Southington citizens who conceived and brought the mural to life through direct collaboration with the mural artist.
• The mural positively influences cultural perceptions within the community.
• The mural communicates stories that represent the identities, heritage and everyday lives of Southington community members whose historical experiences and contributions had not yet been highlighted in town prior to the mural’s unveiling.
• For the last three years, the mural has dynamically interacted with the local environment, establishing and enhancing a sense of pride and mutual belonging.
• The beauty and symbolism of the mural represent the value of inclusivity, necessary for all residents to live together in a civil, productive and peaceful community.
• The existing mural also features a quote from the late Mary DeCroce, who founded Southington Community Cultural Arts in 2016 and actively supported the mural’s evolution from idea to reality. Sadly, Mary passed away thirteen days before the mural was unveiled.

The proposed ”new” mural is reportedly meant to memorialize lost pets of Southington families and will raise money for the Southington Animal Control.

• Many Southington businesses have stepped up to offer space to honor beloved deceased pets of the town and Southington Animal Control, and keep the current mural where it is.
• It is important to note that any plan to erase and replace the images of Black and Brown children, so beautifully depicted on the Southington Unity Mural, with domestic pets, is a plan that represents a more unsettling symbolism.

Community leaders in Southington are faced with the choice of covering one beautiful mural with another, or creating space for two beautiful murals. Whichever choice is made will send a clear message about our community’s values.  We sincerely hope the path that is chosen is the one that adds even more beauty to our beautiful town. 

We are inviting Southington residents and their supporters to join us in the following:

1. Contact the people/organizations listed below and tell them you want the Southington Unity Mural, Building Community for All, to stay where it is.
   • Diann Thompson, Executive Director of SoCCA (860-276-1581)
   • Southington Chamber of Commerce (860-628-8036)
   • Alex Ricciardone, Southington’s Town Manager (860-276-6200)
2. Share this letter widely across your social media pages, including with people who live outside of town. Ask others to get involved!
3. Attend the October Town Council meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at 7pm, (196 N. Main St, Southington).
   • Voice your support for the Southington Unity Mural, Building a Community for All, to remain where it is
   • Urge those involved in the decision making to choose another location for the Friends of Southington Animal Control mural.
   • If possible, to demonstrate support for their organization, please bring a donation (pet food, supplies, etc.) for the Southington Animal Control 

Thank you for your support.