NORWOOD – Local artist Tara Bilotta gave residents a new reason to pause and admire Norwood Center this past weekend during the annual Norwood Day festivities.
On Saturday, August 29, community members gathered for the official dedication of a brand-new public mural commissioned by the Norwood Cultural Council (NCC). Designed and created by Bilotta, a Norwood native, the piece serves as a visual anchor in the heart of town under the project’s central theme: “Many Stories, One Norwood.”
Bilotta’s design, titled “Family Tree,” is a digital painting printed on high-durability outdoor vinyl. Grounded by deep, sweeping roots that subtly incorporate Norwood’s founding year of 1872, the artwork features a prominent apple tree designed to represent the town’s origins, steady growth, and shared future.
“The Cultural Council provided the theme ‘Many Stories, One Norwood,’ to which I created the design ‘Family Tree,'” Bilotta told Inside Norwood.
“It depicts an apple tree representing our founding, growth, and future in Norwood. There are many different hidden elements within the painting that point to different parts of Norwood’s history and what I experienced growing up and living in Norwood. I also aimed to represent other generations and their experiences in Norwood as well.” Bilotta said.
The mural’s layered details offer an interactive experience for passersby, weaving together local historical references with personal memories shared across multiple generations of Norwood residents.
The dedication was a highlight of the Norwood Day morning, drawing crowds to the NCC booth and the mural site.
“Thank you to everyone who came out for the dedication of the mural…” the Norwood Cultural Council shared on social media following the reveal. “We are thrilled to share the stunning new artwork brought to life as part of the ‘Many Stories, One Norwood’ project.”
Tara Bilotta holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) in Boston, as well as a certificate in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Her accolades include the Gamblin Paint Supply Award, the Marcia Lloyd Auction Award, MassArt Academic Honors, and a second-place award in painting at the Cape Cod Art Center in 2023.
Her artwork is featured locally at Custom Art Framing in Norwood, with previous mural installations spanning Boston, Salem, and now a landmark addition to her hometown center. You can contact her at her website tarabilotta.com. -RD