Two days after discovering a guerrilla mural on top of its Orange Street apartment building, a downtown Lutheran church has decided not only not to paint over the piece — but to put it on display.
The decision follows an Independent article about the latest works by New Haven’s resident underground street artist, “Believe In People” or “BiP.”
BiP this month painted the image of a young boy on top of the Emerson apartment building at 284 Orange St. The building is owned by the Trinity Lutheran Church next door.
Rev. Ryan Mills, the church’s pastor, announced Friday that the church has decided not to paint over BiP’s mural, which was completed without permission.
What’s more, the church will display “large reproductions” of the painting on Sundays before Holy Communion. And the church will give tours of the church and the apartment building — including BiP’s painting — after the Sunday service, for a donation.
Rev. Mills’ message follows:
“Thanks to keen interest from New Haven art lovers and thoughtful arts coverage by the New Haven Independent, Believe in People’s painting of a child looking across the skyline of New Haven has been reprieved. So all can view it in safety, large reproductions will be on display in Trinity Lutheran Church, 292 Orange Street, New Haven, Sundays at 10:00 am, just prior to our weekly celebration of Holy Communion. See TrinityLutheranNH.org for more details. Tours of the historic Victorian-Gothic church and Emerson Apartments, including Believe in People’s mural, are also available after worship for a donation to the congregation’s ongoing work with the real children of New Haven.”
That's awesome and I'm glad it's being saved. Legalities aside, BiP's work is thoughtful and beautiful, and a real treasure to have someone like that around New Haven. I'm looking forward to turning a corner and seeing what's been painted next.