Featured Member: White Mountain Art Syndicate
Featured member White Mountain Art Syndicate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to public art and supporting creative placemaking across northern New Hampshire. Founded by Jessica Bahrakis, the organization has become a key contributor to the region’s cultural landscape by integrating large scale visual art into public spaces and community life.
Mission and Organizational Focus
The nonprofit White Mountain Art Syndicate was established with a clear purpose: to make art accessible beyond traditional gallery settings and embed creativity into everyday environments. The organization works at the intersection of art, community development, and economic vitality, using public art as a tool to strengthen connections between people and place.
Collaboration is central to its approach. The Syndicate partners with municipalities, property owners, businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations to ensure that each project aligns with local values and community goals. This cooperative model allows public art projects to feel authentic, relevant, and well integrated into the communities they serve.
Founding and Leadership
Founder Jessica Bahrakis created the White Mountain Art Syndicate to address a gap in public art opportunities in the northern part of the state. Her vision emphasized both artistic quality and community benefit, with a focus on supporting regional artists while enhancing public spaces.
Under her leadership, the organization has developed a reputation for professionalism, thoughtful planning, and strong stakeholder relationships. Projects are guided by clear processes that account for site suitability, community input, and long term sustainability.
The NOCO Mural Project
One of the organization’s most visible initiatives is the NOCO Mural Project, which launched in 2020. The project was designed to bring contemporary murals to towns throughout the North Country and White Mountains region, transforming blank or underutilized walls into visually engaging landmarks.
The NOCO Mural Project operates through a rotating mural model. Artists are selected through open calls and curated opportunities, allowing for a diverse range of styles and perspectives. Many murals are intentionally temporary, making space for new artwork over time and keeping downtown areas visually fresh and evolving.
Supporting Artists and Creative Economy
A core goal of the White Mountain Art Syndicate is to support artists working in New Hampshire and the surrounding region. The NOCO Mural Project provides paid opportunities for artists to create large scale public work, often expanding their professional portfolios and public visibility.
By prioritizing regional artists, the organization helps strengthen the local creative economy. These projects offer artists experience working with municipalities and private partners while reinforcing the value of creative labor within community development efforts.
In addition to public art installations, the nonprofit hosts annual art auctions as a fundraising and artist support initiative. These auctions feature work by local and regional artists and provide an accessible platform for collectors, businesses, and community members to purchase original artwork. Proceeds support both participating artists and the organization’s public art and education programs, creating a direct connection between creative output and nonprofit sustainability.
Community Engagement and Education
Public engagement is an essential component of the Syndicate’s work. Murals are not only installed as finished products but are often accompanied by opportunities for the public to engage with the creative process. Community members may observe artists at work, attend public talks, or participate in educational programming connected to the installations.
Youth engagement plays a significant role in this effort. Through partnerships with schools and youth organizations, the White Mountain Art Syndicate introduces students to public art, mural design, and the role of creativity in civic spaces. These programs encourage creative thinking while fostering a sense of ownership and pride in local places.
Impact on Downtowns and Communities
The presence of public murals has had a measurable impact on downtown vitality in participating communities. Murals contribute to walkability, encourage exploration, and enhance the visual identity of commercial districts. Businesses that host murals benefit from increased attention, while towns gain recognizable features that support tourism and local pride.
Public art also supports broader economic development goals by improving the overall experience of shared spaces. Murals serve as gathering points, photo destinations, and conversation starters that help communities present themselves as vibrant and forward thinking.
Looking Ahead
As the White Mountain Art Syndicate continues to grow, it remains focused on expanding public art opportunities while maintaining strong partnerships and high artistic standards. Through the NOCO Mural Project and future initiatives, the organization continues to demonstrate how public art can play a meaningful role in community development across northern New Hampshire.
For communities, businesses, and organizations interested in the intersection of art and place, the White Mountain Art Syndicate offers a clear example of how creative initiatives can enhance quality of life while supporting artists and strengthening regional identity. Connect with the Syndicate on Facebook and follow the Noco Mural Project on Instagram. Explore the annual self-guided walkable map to find mural locations and find more resources on LinkTree.
