Nine artists from Vernon Street Studios have created new mural panels recently installed on the Central Street-facing side of the Rogers Foam building in Somerville.

Artists Heather Balchunas, Michelle Carter, Nicole Duennebier, David Fallon, Andrew Fish, Jen Fuchel, Tova Speter, Gee Wong, and Dorothy Zarren were selected to showcase the great diversity and high quality of work produced within the building and to help identify the building as an “art space” to passersby who may not be aware of what takes place inside our walls.

It is hoped that the new panels will add color to Central Street and serve to brighten and inspire the community for many years to come.

The new mural panels will be publicly celebrated at a Mural Dedication Event on Sunday December 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Central Street and Vernon Street in Somerville. All are encouraged to attend.

This local media event will kickoff the second day of Vernon Street Open Studios, an annual event during which 70+ artists within the building will open their doors to the public to share their work.

The Open Studios event on Sunday will take place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is a great opportunity for the community to view original artwork and purchase unique holiday gifts.

Vernon Street Studios is a community well known throughout the area for the quality of work produced by artists with established reputations as well as exciting newcomers. Located in a historic 19th-century brick industrial building, Vernon Street housed the first group of artists in Somerville to open their studios to the public in 1975.

Open Studios allows attendees to learn about the creative process, interact with artists in the spaces where they create, purchase original artwork, and discover new talent.

This mural project was funded with support from Rogers Foam Corporation, and the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Rogers Foam has shown great investment in Somerville’s artists for over 25 years by transforming their excess space into art studios housing over 100 local artists.

If you’d like more information about this event or to schedule an interview, please call Tova Speter at 617-794-1987 or email at tovaspeter@gmail.com. Additional info can also be found at http://www.vernonstreet.com.