Tessa O'Brien MFA '16, Sophie Cangelosi '16
When Bayside Bowl expanded their bowling facilities, owner and former president of the Maine State Senate, Justin Alfond connected with Maine College of Art & Design. Said Alfond, "Bayside Bowl's expansion needed local flare and art. Jessica Tomlinson introduced me to a bunch of great artists." Alfond selected artists Tessa Greene O'Brien MFA '16 and Sophie Cangelosi '16 to create two murals. Tessa is the co-founder of The Portland Mural Initiative and Sophie installed a mural for her senior thesis. In less than a week, both artists met with the client to provide initial sketches and revisions. The two different concepts played to each artist's strengths. Tessa's text based mural builds off her skills as a painter with Better Letter Handpainted signs. Sophie's silhouettes are similar to work she did in her senior year. Both murals are located on the first floor of the new addition, which is located across from MECA&D's most recent residential housing. Alfond is pleased with the results. "Tessa and Sophie jumped on our mural projects and delivered the punch that we wanted."