Peabody aims to beautify downtown through arts initiative

PEABODY – Merritt Kirkpatrick used down time stuck in traffic to come up with an idea she hopes will beautify the downtown area.This pilot program engages artists from all over the North Shore to help brighten up the downtown area by submitting their artwork to be displayed in functioning storefront windows as well as vacant ones.Kirkpatrick, curator of the George Peabody House Museum, came up with the idea after learning about a similar program that began last year in San Francisco, which dealt mainly with vacant lots that businesses once used.”I was driving through Peabody Square after all of the flooding that had taken place after one of the storms,” said Kirkpatrick. “While stopped in heavy traffic, I looked around and realized that there weren’t even that many vacant buildings, just underused storefronts that people just don’t know about.”Kirkpatrick decided that whether the buildings were vacant or not, they could use some sprucing up. “What a better way to bring attention to downtown Peabody than to display some great artwork,” she said. “We want people to come to downtown Peabody and realize what we have to offer.”With help from The Mayor’s Committee, Kirkpatrick was able to get her ideas in motion. Christopher G. Pesce, vice president of Marketing for North Shore Bank, presented the idea and North Shore Bank was eager to help out with the community effort after learning about the idea.”As Peabody’s hometown bank, we felt this initiative was important not only for the downtown area, but for the community as a whole,” said Pesce. “We’ve had our main banking office in downtown Peabody for over 120 years. We commend the Committee’s initiative and are proud to be a part of this project.”Maki Sushi is one of the Main Street storefronts that currently has artwork on display. Maki Sushi is a Japanese sushi bar fairly new to the area that was eager to get involved. As a family owned and operated business, owner John Nguyen and his employees were happy to offer their participation in the beautification of the downtown area.”Just to be involved in something like this is great and hopefully it will help people get to know us and our business,” Nguyen said.On Saturday, Sept. 25 Kirkpatrick will be holding an “Art Walk” that begins at 10 a.m. and departs from outside of Peabody City Hall. The “Art Walk” will take residents on a tour through Peabody Square and Main Street to view the storefront locations and vacant lots that currently have artwork on display.Other Peabody storefronts involved in the project include Dance with Dena, Kitchen Design Consultants, Residential Realty, Square Café and Little Shop A’Laura’s. For more information about the project, call Kirkpatrick at the George Peabody House Museum at 978-531-0355.