Stamford Unveils New Train Station Garage Mural

STAMFORD, CT — A new mural by internationally recognized artist Rafael Blanco now adorns the Stamford Train Station parking garage, marking a milestone in the city’s commitment to public art, community engagement and cultural vitality.

Commissioned through a collaboration between the City of Stamford and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the large-scale mural was recently unveiled.

The project was funded through support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Connecticut DOT, and corporate sponsors including Charter Communications, Building & Land Technology, Deloitte, NBCUniversal, and Ernst & Young.

Blanco, a Spanish-born artist known for murals that explore identity and unity, was chosen through a competitive process led by Stamford’s Arts and Culture Commission and RiseUP for Arts. His design received the highest number of public votes during a community selection process.

"This mural beautifully captures the spirit of Stamford," Mayor Caroline Simmons said in a prepared statement. "It reflects our city’s creativity, diversity, and pride and transforms a key gateway into a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike. We are grateful to Rafael Blanco for sharing his talent, and to the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, and community partners who helped make this project a reality."

The mural is part of broader state and local efforts to enhance public spaces through art and design.

Benjamin Limmer, bureau chief of public transportation at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said the department was "excited" to see the mural "bring more energy and identity to the state’s busiest transit hub."

"Public art like this enhances the customer experience and shows our commitment to making transportation spaces more welcoming, vibrant, and connected to the community," Limmer said in a prepared statement.

Blanco, who transitioned from classical studio work to public art in 2014, holds an MFA in painting and drawing and has a background in higher education.

"My purpose as a public artist is to unify people, to create a common thread between our many differences that tend to divide us," said Blanco in a prepared statement. "It is a great honor to paint for the people of Stamford. While painting these past couple of weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the number of smiles, cheers and clapping as people walk or drive by. I feel lucky to be at the forefront of this transformation and positive change."

Lynne Colatrella, chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, encouraged the public to see the finished mural firsthand.

"The City of Stamford invites residents and visitors to visit the train station and experience this new landmark," she said. "On behalf of the Arts and Culture Commission, we are thrilled to have this beautiful mural for all to enjoy for years to come."