New ‘We Are Newfound’ mural debuts at Kelley Park in Bristol

BRISTOL ― A blank wall overlooking Kelley Park is now one of the most colorful landmarks in Bristol. Artists Benjamin Archibald and Alesha Borges have completed "We Are Newfound," a 1,800-square-foot mural celebrating community pride, putting the finishing touches on the piece Aug. 27 during Bristol's Old Home Day celebration.

The mural wraps the building in layered greens and golds, with the words "We Are Newfound" in bold yellow lettering beside the silhouette of a black bear, a nod to New Hampshire wildlife and the region around Newfound Lake.

During Old Home Day, residents were invited to sign their names inside the black of the bear. The signatures were then sealed beneath a protective clearcoat, preserving the town's mark on the mural for years to come.

"We wanted the community in the painting itself," said Archibald. "Letting the town sign the bear turned it into something that belongs to everyone here."

Archibald, a New Hampshire based painter and muralist, is known for large-scale public murals, original wildlife paintings, and The Imprint Project, a collaborative fingerprint painting experience hosted at live events.

For more information, visit benjaminarchibald.com.