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Drivers coming into town from Water Avenue on the east side of Selma have new artwork to help welcome to the city.

Making Art Connections Across Selma partnered with the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation to paint a new mural on a wall behind Water Avenue Baptist Church, which is pastored by the Rev. John Goings.

Helene Taylor, secretary of MACAS, said a group from Bridgewater State University, located about 30 miles outside of Boston, who are on an alternative spring break. They worked with volunteers of all ages to paint the wall. That included students from the Selma Saints Virtual Academy, the alternative school and elementary students along with adults from the Selma Senior Center.

“We draw out a design, and everyone paints a portion of the wall,” Taylor said. “We write everyone’s name on the wall that is painted. I am just so excited because I’ve got all ages on that wall. The energy out here is just infectious.”

Carelina Levanti, a computer science major, said this is her first time to come to Selma. She said she loves hearing the stories of the people she meets.

“I met the pastor’s wife and she told me that they’ve been married for like, at least 50 years,” Levanti said. “And that was really impressive. That’s the longest marriage I’ve ever heard about. And I also talked to a little girl. Her name was Angel, and she was so nice. We spent the time talking and dancing while painting.”

Jemima Saint-Ledger, a criminal justice major, said she has enjoyed getting to meet so many great people in Selma.

“Being here, we are able to talk from people from the youngest age up to the oldest age,” Saint-Ledger said. “We don’t get to see a lot where people get united to do something like this, and it’s amazing.”

Taylor said she loved watching the college students interact with the school-aged students. And everyone who participated can take ownership in the finished mural.

“Everyone really takes ownership of this,” Taylor said. “It’s just a partnership. The church donated the wall and gave us a carte blanch to do whatever we wanted. It’s just amazing to be able to paid something beautiful together. My husband calls it bringing light to the village.

“It’s right here on Water Avenue. And hopefully that’s people’s first impression. They’ll just look out their window and say, ‘oh, look, that’s beautiful.’”