New mural honors cultures of Manchester’s Center City

MANCHESTER, N.H. – After months of planning and weeks of painting, a new mural honoring the culture of Manchester’s diverse cultures was christened in the Center City.

Located at 160 Lake Ave. on the side wall of Colon Tire and Alignment, the mural received funding from community donations and the Manchester Arts Commission and support from the mayor’s office and Manchester Economic Development Office among other organizations.

Created by Positive Street Art’s Manny Ramirez, the mural was delayed as Colon obtained title to the property, with painting beginning in October and concluding just before the temperatures became too cold to continue.

Approximately 50 people attended the ribbon cutting for the mural, which portrays several members of the local BIPOC (black, indigenous, persons of color) community in Manchester, including students from Central High School.

Central city resident and school board member Jason Bonilla hopes that this mural can be the first of many more highlighting the cultures of the people that live in the nearby neighborhoods.

“We need murals that portray the importance of our public schools, the communities that they’re in and the value that those communities hold to the city at large,” said Bonilla.

Bonilla thanked Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais for his work in making the mural happen, while Ruais thanked Bonilla, the Manchester Arts Commission, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Colon Tire and Alignment for their support as well.

“The Lake Avenue mural is another amazing example of the rich diversity and artistic vision we have here in Manchester,” he said. “It’s my hope Center City Love will inspire even more projects like it all across the city.”

Leandro Colon of Colon Tire and Alignment says that his customers have been talking about the mural since its recent installation.

“I think it’s a great idea, I think it says a lot about migrants and the people coming to make their homes here in Manchester,”