Mural adds splash of color to West Side

Mural adds splash of color to West Side

The Palate/Palette mural by artist Lara Nguyen will be visible to the public at the entrance of the new Bridge Street Market. Courtesy Rockford Construction

The West Side has a different look to it.

A colorful 23-by-108-foot Palate/Palette mural by artist Lara Nguyen will be visible to the public at the entrance of the new Bridge Street Market on the building’s north side.

“Palate/Palette honors the beauty of diversity, highlights the power of hive mentality, and creates a colorful table for inclusive conversation,” Nguyen said.

“We are grateful that our store could act as the canvas for such a unique and fitting work of art,” said Ken Bair, manager of Bridge Street Market. “Everything about the mural is representative of what Bridge Street Market is and what we are excited to bring to the community: a culture of fresh, local and affordable food.”

Nguyen is a nationally renowned artist and muralist who has completed public art murals nationwide. She is represented locally by Richard App’s NOMAD Gallery.

“Public art is my passion and this piece is extraordinary,” App said. “I’m excited to once again work with Lara, who has created an amazing, site-specific piece in a unique setting that will be part of the fabric of our community for years to come.”

App and Nguyen worked together to curate the mural. They also collaborated with Rockford Construction, which sponsored the art piece.

“Incorporating art into a space makes it come alive,” said Mike Mraz, managing partner of real estate development for Rockford Construction. “Lara’s work adds to the exciting vibrancy of the West Side and benefits our residents and tenants along with the entire community.”

“We’re glad to be here and are excited that our store could be part of what Lara, Rich and Rockford are contributing to the public art space here on the West Side,” Bair said.

When she is not creating artwork, Nguyen is an art professor and the Arts & Humanities division chair at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. She also is a co-owner of Stone Cloud Studio.