By Rose Thomas

Bright colors, loud shapes and bold design characterize many of the murals on display at the Boston Public Library. Each photograph portrays a mural that distinguishes its own particular neighborhood. The culture, the people, the businesses, the life in each Boston community is proudly represented by its public murals. “Public Murals of Greater Boston: A Photographic Tribute and Guide” manages to contain the culture and intensity of 11 Boston neighborhoods in Deferrari Hall at the Boston Public Library. “Before coming to this exhibit, I didn’t even know there were murals in my neighborhood,” said Maria Seligra, an architect from Somerville. This exhibit showcases 52 photos of community murals by Joel Kershner, a local photographer. “The library is always trying to bring in exhibits that further the library’s mission, one of lifelong learning,” said Cate Zannino, a library employee. The message conveyed by the display is one of educating the public about the role that these murals play in society and public art in general. Joel Kershner, the artist responsible for the exhibit, started documenting the murals for his own pleasure to showcase the artists and murals themselves. Kershner believes strongly in the exhibit. “This exhibit will bring the murals to the public attention, to show the community that these are not just pictures but are symbols of neighborhood pride and diversity, a chronicle of neighborhood and, really, city history,” Kershner said. Interactive question and answer stations on display contain facts about the Boston public murals, famous artists, and painters throughout history. The display points out that murals are “powerful tools for social empowerment and change.” Each mural brings a sense of pride to the neighborhood which it represents as it showcases the values and culture of that community. “The murals are really great, I think the ones that they have from my neighborhood really capture the South End,” said Jessen Langley, a waitress from the South End. Many of the murals featured in the display are created by the Boston Youth Fund Mural Crew which is composed of local teenagers guided by five professional artists. The Mural Crew was founded in 1991 by the Boston Youth Clean Up Crew to deal with the growing graffiti problem. They have created 60 murals since they were founded and have expanded ranks to include three additional mural crews and an after school program to continue working throughout the winter. “I think that the exhibit is a nice overview but there are so many more murals out there, people should go out to the neighborhoods and explore,” said Heidi Schork, director of the Boston Mural Crew for the past 13 years. Included in the exhibit are maps with directions to each mural. The Mural Crew reproduced part of the Frieze of Prophets by John Singer Sergeant with the faces cut out creating the perfect photo opportunity. Photos of Back Bay and Copley by Kershner are part of the exhibit as well. All sources touted going out and seeing the murals in person, going on a “treasure hunt,” as Kershner dubbed it. Library hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is free to the public. For more information about the Mural Crew visit bostonyouthzone.com/teenzone/employment/MuralCew. For more information about the public art of Boston and its public artists, pick up an information sheet at the exhibit or contact Joel Kershner by e-mailing [email protected].