"Safe Harbor” A Creative Community Collaboration

A Stairwell Transformation

A once‑plain stairwell at Barrington Public Library has been transformed and now

bursts with color, movement, and imagination. The new mural, ‘Safe Harbor’, unveiled on January 10, 2026, is more than a piece of art — it’s a community collaboration.

Created by RISD graduate and local artist Anna Fischler Forrest, the mural grew from library director Kris Chin’s vision: an artwork that would reflect the library as a welcoming, inclusive space offering refuge and intellectual freedom for all; and to allow community members of all ages and abilities to participate in its creation. The mural was funded by the Barrington Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Library.

A Mural With Two Stories: Up Close and Far Away

From a distance, Safe Harbor reads like a lively illustration: a pirate ship, a kayak, a rowboat, and a raft all journeying across the water toward the shore and a silhouette of the library. Forrest painted the vessels and shoreline, crafting sails from pages of out‑of‑copyright books — everything from architecture and science texts to fairy tales.

Step closer, though, and the mural becomes something entirely different.

Hundreds of tiny artworks - each created by a community member - form a mosaic of small drawings.The miniature canvases draw your attention, allowing you to notice hundreds of images, shapes, and designs - swirling waves, floating jellyfish, handprints, and peeking eyes, to name a few.

No matter how many times you climb the stairs, there is always something new to discover.

Workshops That Sparked Creativity

To bring the community into the process, Forrest hosted a dozen art workshops during the summer of 2025. Tables were arranged by color, and participants were encouraged to dive right in: “You guys are going to do everything that’s green, red, or blue in this image,” she told them.

The enthusiasm was palpable. People of all ages filled the tables, creating hundreds of miniature artworks that now live inside the mural.

“Art Marks” That Tell Personal Stories

Each small piece carries a bit of its creator’s personality.

Some added quotes, like Stephen King’s “Books are uniquely portable magic.” Others contributed bold messages. A young boy spelled out his name across several pieces of paper, now scattered playfully throughout the mural.

Designed for Discovery at Every Step

Forrest intentionally designed the mural to unfold as visitors climb the stairs. From the bottom, with characters climbing the ropes of the pirate ship, to the top of the stairs where you’ll see someone peers through a telescope toward the library.

While the mural appeals to all ages, Forrest made sure it would be especially engaging for young children heading to the second‑floor children’s room.

Safe Harbor Invites Interaction

Whether or not you contributed artwork, there are many ways to engage with the the Mural. View it from different angles, snap a selfie in front of it, or turn it into an “I Spy” game with your kids.

For Forrest, the mural’s impact is rooted in community pride: “I hope the people who contributed feel proud of their work. And I hope those who didn’t get a chance to contribute can see how many people came out to support the library and be part of this.”

By Meredyth C. Sanderson, Resident and Friends of the Barrington Public Library Board Member

• adapted from Greet Barrington article.