MBTA, City of Malden and Creative Malden unveil murals at Malden Center

Special to The Advocate

A vibrant new public art installation celebrating the theme of Trains past and present, and the humans who ride them, has transformed a concrete retaining wall adjacent to the MBTA’S Malden Center station into a dynamic outdoor art gallery. This significant public art project — a collaboration between arts nonprofit Creative Malden, the City of Malden and the MBTA — features a series of large-scale murals created by local artists. Along with several painted switchboxes, the project beautifies a key city-center intersection and highlights the vital role of trains in the community, from the B&M Railroad to the Orange Line.

The Summer St. Mural Project showcases the diverse talents of eight professional artists as well as students at Malden High School. Each creator brought a unique vision to the Trains theme. The murals are a major component of a broader effort to enhance the cultural landscape of Malden and make art more accessible. By turning a functional piece of public infrastructure into a canvas, the project creates a daily encounter with art for thousands of commuters and residents.

“This project is a testament to what can be achieved when community partners come together,” said Creative Malden President Sandy Felder. “Our goal was to not only beautify this very central space but also to celebrate the journeys, both literal and figurative, that are part of Malden’s story. We are incredibly proud of the work these talented local artists have produced.”

Mayor Gary Christenson expressed appreciation to MBTA General Manager/CEO Phillip Eng for his support of the project. “When I walked the area with GM Eng, he was immediately enthusiastic about the potential to transform a plain cement wall into a proud timeline of Malden’s history of train stations,” said Mayor Christenson. “Support for public art is a public good, and the MBTA is an excellent partner to the City of Malden.”

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 4, Mayor Christenson also thanked Malden’s state legislators — Senator Jason Lewis and Representatives Paul Donato, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Steven Ultrino — for securing an earmark to fund the murals as well as other projects as part of a larger effort to connect Malden Station and the Summer Street corridor with the rest of Malden’s revitalized city center. The collaboration provided a unique opportunity for local artists to have their work displayed in a high-visibility, public setting, contributing to the cultural fabric of Malden and enriching the daily experience of everyone who passes by.