Spirit in the Sky Mural, Signed and Sealed

Artist Jesse Melanson, and artist assistant Megan Lacy, signed their amazing "Spirit in the Sky" mural on Sunday, August 25th. They'll return in October, along with recording artist Norman Greenbaum, to formally dedicate the artwork.

Greenbaum is Malden born and now living in California. The mural was inspired by Greenbaum's blockbuster song "Spirit in the Sky." It's been referred to as one of the "most recognizable songs in the world", appearing in more than 20 movies and commercials, including Apollo 13.

This amazing painting faces south to all-day sun. Its brilliant coloring stands out in daylight, but it also looks wonderful after dark. The mural rises over Exchange Street on the back wall of 110 Pleasant Street. The project was sponsored and organized by Malden Arts and the Malden ArtLine.¹

The artist team of Melanson and Lacy hails from Texas. Jesse showed some of his original concept drawings at today's signing. We've attached a snapshot.

Melanson's art was selected from a large number of competitive submissions back in May. The artist team spent about two weeks painting, beginning with a base blue coat and building up from there. They credited assistance from their New England family.

You can read a lot into the mural: the unique rainbow (white, with colors creatively departing from Newton's order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). There are musical notes in a crescendo of art to the heavens. There are golden orbs floating to the sky. The main piece is strong hand-painted work of multi-cultural shades. The clouds at the bottom seem to transition through a range of pearly colors, sparkling in the sun.

Listen to Greenbaum's song the first time you see the mural if you can. Both are unforgettable art forms.

Some of the paint was pre-mixed and some was mixed on site. The artists mastered the use of the lift while on the job. You can still find the application submission guidelines at maldenarts.org.

Greenbaum's song begins with these lyrics:

*"When I die and they lay me to rest / Gonna go to the place that's the best"*

With all the good things happening locally this weekend, Malden might just be that place.

The artist team will return in October, when Norman Greenbaum visits his birthplace for a formal dedication of the mural.² Watch the Malden Arts page for details.