November 30th 2013, Northampton MA
4:00, Tully’s Pub, 1 Pearl Street
4:30 Joes Pizza, , 33 Market Street
5:00, Fitzwilly’s Restaurant, 23 Main Street
This event will take participants on a walk to local restaurants
in downtown Northampton looking at the murals of James Madden Waldron
1913-1963. The Northampton murals, painted
by James Madden Waldron are in Joe’s Café, Tully’s Pub, The old Aqua Vita and
now Fitzwilly’s Restaurant. The event marks the refurbishing and installation
of “The Perry Mural”. The mural ‘Perry’s Ascent to the North Pole”; originally
installed in the Rahar's Hotel, later moved to the City Café now known as
Tully’s has recently been installed in Fitzwilly’s Restaurant. The event also celebrates
Waldron’s 100-year birthday and his important contribution to the rich artistic
history of Northampton.
James Madden Waldron was born in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1913 and
died suddenly in 1963. Waldron attended St. Michael School from first grade
through high school where his exceptional artistic skills earned him a full
scholarship to study Art in Paris, France. However with WWII looming in Europe,
his studies took him to Philadelphia and Mexico. Before finishing Art School,
Waldron enlisted, or was drafted in the air force and was stationed in the
Pacific during WWII. On his return home he made his living painting murals in
many local establishments as well as painting portraits of local Northampton
residents.
The Waldron Walk starts at 4:00, November 30th in Tully’s Pub
on 1 Pearl Street. At 4:30 moving to Joe’s Pizza on 33 Market and at 5:00 traveling
to Fitzwilly’s Restaurant on 23 Main Street. At each stop there will be talk
about the history of the mural and the life of the artist James Madden Waldron.
Artist Joan Ryan will talk about her grant from the Northampton Arts Council
that helped fund this event and the work involved in the restoration of the Perry
Mural.
Ryan originally from
Northampton lives in Boston and works at Lesley University College of Art and
Design where she is a Professor of Painting and Drawing. She has received
grants from the Puffin Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Lillian
Orlowsky and William Freed Grant and the Northampton Arts Council
