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Parking Garage Will Get Artistic Makeover Monday

Kenny Scharf is coming to Salem — learn about his plans and help with the catering choices.

 

A wall outside Museum Place Mall is about to get a little color from world-renowned artist Kenny Scharf.

The Brooklyn-based artist will be coming to Salem on May 14 to paint a permanent mural on the facade of the garage that's located approximately where Brown and New Liberty Streets meet, at the entrance to the garage.

Mike Lash, who heads Mike's Museum (Mike is currently looking for a space to house the museum after vacating the spot on Lafayette Street), said he contacted Scharf on Facebook and he was pleasantly surprised when Scharf wrote back.

Lash said Scharf was up to the challenge of coming to Salem.

"He said 'sure, let's look for a public area, a permanent site,'" Lash explained.

Last year, Lash said the city was very helpful in efforts to bring sculptures to the Pedestrian Mall. This year, he said the city did the same in an effort to find a wall.

“Kenny’s mural is one more way we are bringing art to the public, and his mural will add a new and colorful dimension to downtown," Driscoll said a press release from the city. "Kenny has worked all over the world and we are fortunate that he has agreed to share his talent with us."

Lash said he considers Scharf, who has painted murals across the country and was even recently featured in yellow on The Simpsons, "a genius painter."

As for Salem in the arts in general, Lash said the city has always had a "strong arts tolerance," and he's just one of many working to develop arts tourism that is mutually beneficial for art enthusiasts and the city alike.

"I'm having a great time here," Lash said of exploring the arts and what they can do in Salem.

On Monday, Lash people are welcome to come by and watch Scharf at work (he'll probably be at work as early at 6:30 a.m.)

Lash said he also needs the help of residents in the catering for the event.

Scharf is a big fan of donuts (they often appear in his work), Lash said, and he wants to know which Salem donuts readers recommend as he preps for Scharf's arrival.

Ziggy's, Coffee Time, Dunks? Which donuts are your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

Related Topics: Kenny Scharf, Kenny Scharf Salem, Mass., Public Arts Salem, and Quality Of Life

KlassySalem

1:39 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Go local. Ziggy's and Coffee Time are both worthy.

This wall is near a historic church. Has HSI blown it's top about this "mural" yet?

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redrhino

1:51 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Jelly coconut from coffee time - awesome!
Keep up the cool art!

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Ruby The Poet

2:44 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Both Ziggy's and Coffee Time are delicious and represent our local businesses. Skip Dunks, they have DD in Brooklyn. ;)

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gene

3:41 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Ziggys is the best. Dunkin Donuts is corporate garbage

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chester suchecki

4:01 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

ziggy's elephant ears are to die for and the jelly donuts will bring you back to when donuts were made the old fashioned way.

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john

6:11 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

I would like to make a comment on the garages rather than the coffee shops.Last week I watched a public hearing with the parking board. Many issues were brought up but one was most interesting.An elderly woman with a disibility raised a question to the board and the result was quite concerning. Jason Silve was there as well as Mr Hacker the parking board and commitee of the whole. The woman is a condo owner with a $200 yearly pass to South Harbor garage that is no longer allowed at Eaast India.She asked" who do I call when there is no sppce for my care"?Everyone just sat and looked at each other as she explained that calls to Mr Hacker were not returned.Eventually she was told to call the mayor but neither Mr Hacker or Jason Silva offered advice. She then explained that eleavator at South Harbor has been out of service for 6 months which was a concern for her with a disability.Salem rented the vacant lot next to Hess on Derby this past winter for $5000 per month and nobody used it. I believe that elevator should have been repaired instead of waisting our money on that lot.I wish that woman good luck because she will need it.

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Diane Wolf

8:20 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kudos to Mr. Lash for his efforts - I'm glad he is championing public art in Salem. As far as donuts go, I vote for Coffee Time - always delicious!
If Mr. Scharf is in the mood for a more savory treat - the Lobster Shanty will gladly fix him some lunch.

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Mark Steele

8:08 am on Friday, May 11, 2012

I applaud the efforts of Mike Lash in getting a mural painted on the wall of the garage. I'm wondering what the image will be. Kenny Scharf seems to paint a lot of doughnuts in his work and a lot of the discussion around him coming to Salem is where are the best doughnuts and after looking at his website it's my guess we are going to get a mural of a doughnut to look at for the next 25 years. If we are going to have to look at food on our way into the PEM I'd prefer an image of a BLT.

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Charlotte Belezos

5:52 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012

Boston Creme Donuts & Marble Crullers are my favorites!

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Renee D

2:03 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ziggy's has the best blueberry donuts! Awesome staff too!

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MR Pelletier

9:32 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Don't we have local artist that could paint a mural, after all Monserate is just over the bridge?

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Kathryn Rutkowski

10:16 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ziggy's Donuts, can't beat a business that has been in Salem over 40 years!

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Jen Rutkowski

10:39 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ziggys has been open almost 48 years! My moms dad started this wonderful business and we are continuing it! As the third generation at Ziggys, I would say that we have the best donuts not only in Salem but all around. Sure anyone can be like dunkin donuts and use frozen donuts that are horrible but what's better than a fresh hand made donut every morning? Nothing! They are Never stale and always so yummy! My uncle hand mixes, cuts, fries every donut you see in the showcase. If you have never tried our donuts please come by!! You will never eat a better donut! If you come in early in the morning you can get one warm out of the fryer...my favorite!! Our hours are M-F 630am-3pm. Closed Saturday's. Sunday's 630a-noon. Please try us...you won't regret it! We also sell muffins, pastries, turnovers, cupcakes, whoopie pies, cookies! As well as holiday pies and cakes as well! Do yourself a favor and come on by!

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Jason

8:49 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Of course people care more about their opinion of donuts rather than how to help an elderly lady, duh.
Yay art. Boo you.

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