sculpture, installation, virtual projects or murals can open up experience and possibility for new
interactions. In Oasis Northampton, mural painting takes to the actual streets to create an asphalt
mural that can be walked over, jumped on or danced across in Cracker Barrel Alley in
Downtown Northampton’s Cultural District. Cracker Barrel Alley is a connector between the
Masonic Parking Lot and Main Street that was designated as a pedestrian zone by the City of
Northampton after identifying safety concerns. After painting an asphalt mural in October 2018
for the NYC Department of Transportation in Williamsburg Brooklyn, Pioneer Valley artist, Kim
Carlino noticed this new pedestrian zone while walking downtown one afternoon. Carlino saw a
perfect canvas calling to be painted as well as an opportunity to enliven and paint in her own
city. Carlino quickly got to work on a proposal for the Northampton Arts Council and the
City Planning Department.
Oasis Northampton will activate this public corridor and enliven it with a bold, geometric
abstract design that gives the suggestion of “green” space while celebrating playfulness,
creativity and a sense of improvisation. Oasis Northampton explores the ability for art to create
a sense of place: an art Oasis that can disrupt our daily routines and paths and cause us while in
the act of walking and commuting from place to place to experience something unexpected.
Kim Carlino will be painting Oasis Northampton between April 29th and May 2nd weather
depending. Oasis Northampton is funded by the Northampton Arts Council, Massachusetts
Cultural Council and Sherwin Williams.
