Laila Woods, Contributing Photographer

A cooling paint mural unveiled on Tuesday sparked conversations about the future of New Haven communities as they face climate change.

Artists and University, city and community leaders gathered at the Goffe Street Armory to celebrate “Thermal Reflections,” a mural painted with a special cooling paint that reflects heat. Located in the Dixwell neighborhood, “Thermal Reflections” is now the largest mural in New Haven.

“Art at its best inspires us, causes us to reflect or moves us to action,” Mayor Justin Elicker said. “Climate change requires us all to do our part, center the voices of those most impacted and to advance inclusive solutions.”

Elicker brought attention to several steps the city is taking to address climate concerns by noting the establishment of the Office of Climate and Sustainability and plans to electrify city vehicles, expand solar energy and plant 5,000 trees in the next five years.

Extreme heat in urban areas is a significant concern as average global temperatures rise, especially in marginalized communities with less tree cover. Technologies like cooling paint could help mitigate heat risks.

Cooling paint, according to Karen Seto, a professor of geography and urbanization science at the Yale School of the Environment, reflects heat, unlike conventional paints that absorb heat. Using this paint, more murals could compound cooling effects.

“With lots of murals around a location, like around a neighborhood block, it could actually help to cool down temperatures,” Seto said at the press conference.

Local artists Michael DeAngelo and Daniel Pizarro ART ’12 led the mural design team of four apprentice muralists. 

Violeta “Vee” Ware, a full-time artist and construction engineer, worked on this mural as an apprentice. Ware pointed out different endangered insects represented in the mural including dragonflies, spiders, bees and butterflies — insects were suggested by YSE members.

Local residents also had the opportunity to help envision the mural’s final image during community meetings, ensuring the artwork reflected their collective vision. The mural was well received by event attendees, with several cars slowing down beforehand as drivers took in the colorful new addition to the neighborhood.

Pizarro, a Yale School of Art climate engagement fellow, explained that “the mural illuminates the red hot, rising temperature within the city” and “the full blue breezes that are found in the natural environment.”

Gather New Haven’s Armory Community Garden lies just below the mural. The garden’s white PVC pipe hoops are reflected in the mural as well. For Pizarro, “these hoops represent an opportunity, a doorway towards a transition to becoming better stewards of our environment and of our health.”

The mural, funded by Yale Planetary Solutions, is the result of a two-year collaboration between the Yale Schools of the Environment, Art and Architecture, the State Historic Preservation Office, the CT Freedom Trail, and the City of New Haven. 

“Thermal Reflections” is the second mural supported by a Yale Planetary Solutions grant. Last September, a similarly funded mural by Victoria Martinez ART ’2o, was completed in Fair Haven.

Babz Rawls Ivy, editor-in-chief of the Inner-City News, wants to see more murals around the city like on the school across the street, on homes and on the nearby prison. Rawls Ivy said at the press conference that she hopes this mural will be the “catalyst for larger discussions on how we as a community build the kind of future that we want, how we build the kind of neighborhood that we want.”

Plans for the interior of the Goffe Street Armory are still undetermined, but the site received $250,000 from the state this summer for rehabilitation. Press conference speakers said that in the future, the Armory could serve the community in an even greater capacity than it currently does.

During Elicker’s speech, a moment of silence was held for Alder Ficklin who passed away less than two weeks ago.

New Haven’s first Mural Apprenticeship Program was launched in conjunction with the development of this mural. The program gives artists the opportunity to develop their mural-making skills.