Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) has unveiled a new fundraiser that will ultimately create original art within Sandy Hook Village through a community effort.

The Village Mural Project is in its infancy this year. Organizers hope it will grow into something that will create multiple murals to celebrate the business district while also raising funds to replace a pedestrian bridge spanning the Pootatuck River that was removed two years ago after falling into disrepair.

The project has three parts, the first of which is underway. Entries for the inaugural Community Mural Design Competition are being accepted until July 31. Residents of all ages are invited to design an image that captures the spirit, history, and heart of Sandy Hook. The design that is selected will be turned into a mural during this year’s Rocking The Hook, returning September 26 with an expanded presentation.

The second part of the project will be the voting phase, and the third part will be in September, when the public will be invited to paint squares that will ultimately form the mural.

Sandy Hook resident Kaitlynn Clark is spearheading the mural project. She was inspired by The Ocean Beach Community Mural Project, which has, since 1999, created community murals that celebrate the essence of the seaside town. One mural was destroyed during a storm and two fell to age and elements, but at least two dozen colorful and unique murals now cover local businesses within a few blocks of San Diego, Calif.

Clark participated in at least one of the mural creations while living on the West Coast.

“I can go back to California and see my square,” she said June 15. “It’s such a great way to bring the community together. They’ve been doing this for years, and each mural comes together cohesively.”

She is hoping participants will have the same joy while creating the Sandy Hook murals, and then when they return to see them in the future.

Design Details

The first thing SHOP needs is designs to contemplate. For this inaugural year, members would like designs to be created by those who live within town.

Designs must be created on a 12- by 16-inch paper, which will later correspond to the larger pieces of plywood upon which the mural will be painted.

Designs must include the words Sandy Hook Village, as well as the following elements: the former Sandy Hook footbridge; the Pootatuck River; the Sandy Hook Christmas Tree or Trees — the Washington Avenue-Riverside Road tree and/or the tree at 1 Washington Avenue; red sidewalks; a lamp post; something Halloween-themed, to honor Sandy Hook Halloween Walk; something to represent music, for Rockin’ the Hook; something Irish, to represent Sandy Hook Pub Crawl; dining; shopping; and 2026.

Designs should reflect community, connection, and the charm of Sandy Hook, according to contest notes.

“It’s their choice from there,” Clark said. “We want this to have that Sandy Hook vibe.”

No additional written words, numbers, letters, or symbols are allowed. Organizers are also asking artists to avoid memorial or commemorative elements.

Designs must be created with colored pencils, markers, and/or crayons. They cannot be black and white. There is no cost to enter the competition. The fundraising efforts will be through steps two and three, when the public votes and when the public creates the mural in September, respectively.

The winning artist will have their name included on the final mural. They will also be recognized during Rockin’ the Hook.

Original art will not be returned, and the winning design may be used in marketing and/or fundraising materials at Rockin’ the Hook. SHOP plans to create postcards of the winning design, in fact, to sell in September. The winning artist will be invited to autograph the postcards during a two-hour session during Rockin’ the Hook.

Part Two: Voting

Voting for the illustration that will become the 2026 mural will open August 3. It will continue for five weeks, with two voting options.

The designs will be presented on SHOP’s new Facebook page, SHOP Sandy Hook Village (facebook.com/SandyHookVillage), where each Like on an image will be counted as one vote. The public can also vote in person locally, with each $1 donation counting as ten votes. In-person opportunities will be announced on SHOP’s Facebook page.

Funds raised during the voting will be put toward SHOP’s Sandy Hook Footbridge Replacement Project.

Online and donation voting will end September 8.

SHOP members will be casting their votes September 9.

The winner will be announced September 10.

Event Day & The Mural's Creation

Rockin’ the Hook’s headliner this year will be Zac N’ Fried, the seven-piece Zac Brown tribute band from Monroe. The event will run from noon until 8 pm, and will include the traditional music, food trucks, and beer tent.

Centered around the pavilion at 7 Glen Road, organizers envision attendees putting down lawn chairs or blankets and enjoying a few hours in the sun.

“We really want people to enjoy this even more than past years,” Clark said.

This year the event will also offer vendors, yard games, a special Lego Table and family activities, and the culmination of The Village Mural Project.

By that day, plywood for the full mural will be divided into squares. The public will be invited to purchase a square, which will have its design outlined. Each square will be accompanied by the paint needed to fill in the mural block.

Painters will be spaced out along the wall where the mural will ultimately hang, with plenty of time during the afternoon presentation for everyone to paint their square. The mural will be installed soon after Rockin’ the Hook.

Clark acknowledges the fundraising for a new pedestrian footbridge could take a few years. Fliers with QR codes within the business district have spurred the occasional donation, but she sees the mural project as a way to jump-start the fundraising efforts.

“The biggest thing I want to see is that bridge replaced,” said Clark, who lived for a few years in an apartment within the district and continues to support many of its businesses.

“I walked on that bridge many a time,” she said. “It makes me so sad that it isn’t there. That is one of my driving points.”

Artists are invited to visit facebook.com/SandyHookVillage, send e-mail to sandyhookorganization@gmail.com, or call 203-948-8364 for full mural competition details.

=====

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.