Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 22, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 13 RSVP AND PURCHASE TICKETS AT YWCACM.ORG/TRIBUTE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 | 12:00 PM Keynote Speaker: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings Nonresident Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro; Founder, President & CEO of Global Policy Solutions; and author of "RAGEISM: Racism, Ageism, and the Quest for Liberation Policy (Routledge)" businesses because of their attachment to art. "When we're fundraising, we can't provide a shiny package outlining how the murals specifically bring in money," said Walsh. Even with the association to international brand POW! WOW! Worldwide, and Worcester's success within the network, it's tricky. In 2016, POW! WOW! Worcester was a simple idea. Walsh, co-founder Ché Anderson, and others in the first iteration of the committee knew of the international POW! WOW! festivals. ey flew to Hawaii to pitch the industrial Worcester with all its brick to paint on. e first Worcester festival was an interview of sorts, and a visit from creator Jasper Wong solidified competency for further business. "When you say brand, it sounds corporate, but it's not. It's homegrown, grassroots. Each POW! WOW! has a different feel," said Walsh. A new name POW! WOW! Worldwide was named for the emotional response carried aer art, and its capitalization, punctuation, and style for comic book caricatures. "e first look at art you feel 'Pow,' then feelings wash over, and you're like, 'Wow, that makes sense,'" said Walsh. As the brand developed, Worcester's committee brought up problems with it multiple times, as a pow wow is a sacred ceremony in Native American cultures. So, the POW! WOW! name is changing. Every city will rebrand like Worcester Walls: Hawaii Walls, Hong Kong Walls, etc. "We are excited about the name change because we don't want to confuse or hurt anyone," said Walsh. "We are Worcester Walls, now. And I always love some alliteration." Searching for answers "We're at this inflection point," said Borenstein. "Walsh and (former co- director) Lisa Drexhage put their heart and soul into the organization. ey lived and breathed POW! WOW! for six years. It's really their labor of love." ere's an argument among the Worcester Walls committee suggesting that still the public shouldn't know about all the pipes, leaks, and plans. e art should stay as its final product. "e emphasis on public arts is crucial to the ongoing vitality of the city. We don't want to lose that," said Borenstein. "at's all part of the discussion about future reorganization." F L AS H P O L L Street murals enhance economic development From 2016 to 2021, the arts festival then known as POW! WOW! Worcester had artists install 200 public murals on buildings throughout the city, with the art typically using spray paint. The organization, now renamed Worcester Walls, is using 2022 to re-evaluate its plans and maintain its existing murals. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said these murals have added economic value to the city. Yes, they cover up buildings that would otherwise appear rundown. 14% Yes, they create a cultural vibrancy that attracts residents and businesses. 46% No, while they are nice to look at, they don't create a major economic value. 30% Have the hundreds of public street art murals installed throughout Worcester since 2016 enhanced the city's economic development? 9% No, I don't care for the murals. "Art does enhance the community, though I can appreciate that not all art appeals equally to all people." "Some of these murals are truly hideous, including the installation at Flagg Street School. No one asked the neighbors if we wanted to look at this ghastly thing every day. Some children might even find it frightening." "Since the start of POW! WOW! Worcester, these murals have been featured in nu- merous articles as an example of the city's new vibrancy and attracted visitors from out of town who spend money at local restaurants and shops during their driving around and exploration of the 200 or so murals." W Local Business News Reliable news to your inbox every weekday. SIGN UP HERE >> Worcester Business Journal WBJ wbjournal.com/enewsletters

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