Fire Station Mural Project

Project Area

Essex Junction Fire Department’s southeastern-facing exterior wall, 3 Pearl Street

Project Status

Currently reviewing artist submissions and collecting thematic input from Essex-Westford School District Students.

Project Overview

The City of Essex Junction is soliciting a Vermont-based artist or artist team to design a new public mural for the Essex Junction Fire Department at 3 Pearl Street. Titled We Are Essex Junction, this project will transform the building’s southeastern-facing exterior wall into a vibrant work of public art that celebrates the people, history, and future of our community. This project includes mural design work only and does not include painting or installation of the mural, which could be pursued through an implementation grant application in the future after the design work has been finalized in September 2026.

The selected artist will work closely with a Local Review Committee made up of community members, City staff, and local officials to develop a design that reflects themes identified through outreach to local art students. The mural is intended to support placemaking, visual storytelling, and a welcoming pedestrian experience, while helping to envision Essex Junction as Vermont’s newest city.

Community input will be gathered at multiple stages throughout the mural visioning and design process. Essex-Westford School District students will help provide thematic input by responding to the prompt “We Are Essex Junction.” Student input will be reviewed by the Local Review Committee to identify major themes, which will then inform broader community feedback on proposed mural concepts through surveys, public voting opportunities, and City-wide outreach.

At this time, the city has only secured funding for the design of the mural. Implementation will be considered in the future.

Inquiries about the project are encouraged to be submitted to Michael Giguere, City Planner, at mgiguere@ essexjunction.org or (802) 878-6944 ext.1625.

This project is supported in part by the Vermont Arts Council, which receives support in part from the National Endowment for the Arts.