Page 33 - 2024 Salem Massachusetts Official Event Guide and Map

Generations / Generaciones by David Fichter in Punto Urban Art Museum, photo: Lauren Termini
ON THE COVER
Generations / Generaciones
CREATED BY DAVID FICHTER
Generations/Generaciones by professional muralist David Fichter captures the rich history of El Punto through the experiences of its leaders, residents, and workers.
At the mural’s core are generations of women from a French-Canadian bobbin girl at Naumkeag Steam Cotton Mill to contemporary figures like Lucy Corchado, the president of the Point Neighborhood Association.
The upper section delves into the early 20th-century history of The Point as
a predominantly French-Canadian neighborhood, with Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company and the textile strike in 1933, along with the ruins of
St. Joseph’s cathedral, destroyed in the Great Salem Fire in 1914.
Transitioning to the 1970s, the upper right corner illustrates the Latino community in El Punto, and its early struggles for housing, healthcare, voting rights, and citizenship. Notable community figures, such as Justo (Johnny) Grullon, Gladys Rodriguez, and Justino Arroyo, are featured, emphasizing their role in shaping the neighborhood’s trajectory.
Moving down, viewers can take in moments of community life — domino tournaments, softball games, and events and festivals like La Fiesta En El Calle. The work’s testament to residents’ resilience is further symbolized by the embracing figures at the bottom right.
Through Fichter’s mural, Salem residents and visitors alike are invited to appreciate the multifaceted history and community spirit that define the neighborhood.
Add a stop at Generations/Generaciones
to your next walk down Congress Street, and visit PUNTOURBANARTMUSEUM.ORG for maps and more information on featured murals and artists.
Para leer en español, visite SALEM.ORG/GENERACIONES.
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