NASHUA — A newly formed nonprofit is trying to eliminate graffiti in the city.
Positive Street Art is composed of three area artists whose mission is to beautify Nashua and bring the community together through public murals.
Its first mural is being painted along the railroad tracks in downtown Nashua, on the side of the Dunkin' Donuts on Main Street.
“We are trying to teach youth that there are other ways to express their artistic creativity other than graffiti and tagging,” said Cecilia Ulibarri, founder and president of Positive Street Art.
Ulibarri, of Nashua, is working with Manuel Ramirez, also of Nashua, and Margret Williams, of Hudson, to complete a massive mural consisting of a colorful collection of faces and encouraging words.
Ulibarri, 31, is optimistic the mural will become one of many decorating not only downtown, but Nashua and surrounding communities as well.
“This is a big deal,” she said. “We are putting our name out there and hoping this will start a trend.”
The background of the mural was painted earlier this week in purple, yellow and aqua.
The goal is to complete the mural by Sunday and unveil it during the city's Main Street Bridge Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A grant from the local Dunkin' Donuts enabled Positive Street Art to begin the mural, said Ulibarri, who thanked franchise owner Joe Carvalho for trusting her organization and taking a leap of faith.
Positive Street Art is working with the Nashua Public Library on another arts initiative, along with a dance studio in Hudson that has asked the organization to paint its hip-hop studio.
Ulibarri is also in discussions with representatives of the Jackson Falls condominium building and plans to meet with the Portland Pie Co. to develop something there.
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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.



