Hamilton officially dedicates McCloskey mural

A large mural that pays homage to a beloved children’s book illustrator and Hamilton native was officially dedicated Wednesday.

A four-person crew, led by artist Stephen Smith, has been painting a large mural at 20 High St. that’s an homage to illustrator Robert McCloskey. The completed mural was dedicated during a ceremony Wednesday.

Before painting started on the side of Hamilton's former municipal building, Smith had the pleasure of speaking over the phone with McCloskey's daughter, Sally. Those familiar with McCloskey's award-winning children's books already know Sally, in a way. McCloskey's 1949 book, "Blueberries for Sal," was inspired by her.

The McCloskey mural measures just over 1,800 square feet and is one of two painted this summer in the city.

A modern portrait of Alexander Hamilton is being painted at 15 S. D St., based on an 1806 portrait by John Trumbull.

Both murals are created by the StreetSpark public-art program, a partnership between the Fitton Center for Creative Arts and Hamilton's city government.

Each mural cost about $10,000. Artists whose designs were chosen received $500 and the chance to paint the murals with a crew.

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