Staff reports
ROCHESTER - The restoration of the folk-art mural located on the side of the former Lamper & Son Hardware buildingon at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Portland Street is under way.
According to owner Dave Lamper, Steve McDuffee painted the mural about 30 years ago, and it needs restoration after years of New England weather and sun fading.
The mural has faded due to sun and severe winters over the past several decades
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts has commissioned local artist Spenser Macleod (@leonardodevinci), known for his murals around the region, including art on the second floor of the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, and more recently, his work for the Granite State Fair, where he painted the side of school buses that were entered in the demolition derby.
RMFA co-founder Matt Wyatt says he’s happy to see the mural updated and restored, as it’s been needed for some time and is beloved by many Rochester residents who pass by every day.
“It’s a scene that most Rochester residents know right away whenever you mention it,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been seeing my whole life, and we’re proud to preserve it for many more years to come.”
Wyatt added that the mural comes at no cost to the owner of the building, and Macleod is making every effort to restore it without changing the imagery.
To learn more about the RMFA, visit www.rochestermfa.org. To learn more about Spenser Macleod, visit www.spensermacleod.com
