"I Wish … For a Greener Future" by Hope Aguilera (corner of Robbins Avenue and Columbus Avenue)

Located on the B&P Auto Body Supply at the corner of Robbins Avenue and Columbus Avenue, "I Wish … For a Greener Future" by Hope Aguilera depicts a young boy making a wish on a dandelion with an eco-friendly landscape in the background. Within the mural is a farm, windmills to supply energy, an electric car, and a Bird scooter.

As part of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization, Aguilera was commissioned to paint this mural with a theme born from the concerns and future goals of residents, as shown by a survey.

“When Habitat asked me to create a mural of a green community, I envisioned green energy, a thriving garden and landscape, and a diverse community coming together to make that happen. And I imagined a young child making a wish, using a dandelion which we are very familiar with in New England,” says Aguilera. “Scientists have warned that we are running low on time to make a shift and avoid irreversible climate change consequences. Our children and the next generation are the ones that will have to grow up and protect their children from climate effects. Marginalized communities and the vulnerable will be the most affected. Environmental racism is a term that encompasses the intersections of race and environmental and climate justice. Green communities and access to nature are a privilege that poor and marginalized people have less of. As a brown-skinned person, and a daughter of an immigrant family, it was very important to me to have representation of brown skin people that live in the community.”

“All the people in this mural are from the local community. The young boy goes to elementary school here and his mom is an administrator at the high school. In the garden, one harvester works at Panchos, the local Mexican restaurant, and is the owner´s son. That family is from Zacatecas, Mexico where my family also happens to be from. Another harvester lives across the street from the mural and has lived in Pittsfield since the 80s. Finally, the scooter-rider works at the barbershop down the road. This mural is both a wish and a prayer, and I hope it beckons viewers to think about our future and our children´s future.”

The mural was made possible with financial support from Berkshire Bank. The wall on which the mural was painted was provided by B&P Auto Body Supply. In addition to Hope Aguilera, painting services were provided by Richard Silvano Painting, Inc. Additional funds and resources were provided by the General Motors Corp, H&R Block, and John’s (Ace) Hardware and Building Supply.