Unveiling of New Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Community Mural – June 15, 2026

West Hartford Community to Celebrate Unveiling of New Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Community Mural

June 15 at 5:00 PM | Blue Back Square, West Hartford, CT

 

West Hartford, CT — The West Hartford community is invited to a special mural unveiling and celebration on June 15 at 5:00 PM in Blue Back Square. The event will feature live music beginning at 5:00 PM, followed by a brief program at 5:30 PM, and will include ice cream, cookies, and opportunities to meet community partners.

The mural, created by Hartford-based muralist Michael Rice, was assisted by his close friend and talented local muralist, Brian Wentworth. It honors the history, culture, and communication diversity of Connecticut’s Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. The artwork highlights the legacy of Deaf education through an image of Laurent Clerc, depicts children using a range of communication modalities including American Sign Language, hearing aids, and cochlear implants, and features a powerful portrait of a DeafBlind community member communicating through tactile ASL.

The project reflects the commitment of West Hartford Public Schools Deaf Services, which supports more than 80 students, to honor and uphold each student’s chosen communication method. The mural’s message is clear: every Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing person has the right to communication access, representation, and belonging.

To ensure authenticity and community voice, Rice worked closely with Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents, students, and educators. He met with children from West Hartford Public Schools to learn what communication access means to them and collaborated with Christine Ferreira, Art Teacher at The American School for the Deaf. Ferreira contributed her own brushwork to the mural, completing the section featuring a young boy using a walker and FM system, adding her personal connection and artistic style to the piece.

The mural was funded through a matching grant from Sustainable CT and supported by many generous donors who helped bring this vision to life.

While the painting is complete, the project will continue this fall with Phase Two, which includes the installation of a tactile replica of the mural designed for DeafBlind community members. This “living mural” will invite visitors to experience stories and perspectives from Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing residents through touch and interactive engagement.

Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration of art, accessibility, and community.

Event Details

•  Date: June 15

•  Time: 5:00 PM (music), 5:30 PM (program)

•  Location: Blue Back Square, West Hartford