Lewiston, Maine has a new Talking Wall!

A new mural celebrating Lewiston’s diverse immigrant community was unveiled Friday in the heart of downtown.

Commissioned by L-A Arts, the mural was created by artists Rachel and Ryan Adams as a welcoming symbol for migrants and a reflection of the city’s cultural diversity.

The artwork was inspired by a quote from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Ryan Adams said the artists wanted the mural to reflect the people who call Lewiston home.

“Whenever we paint large-scale pieces in other people’s communities, we like to get a sense of the folks that are there because you want to have people represented in the work that is within their spaces,” Adams said. “We hope that it’s a reminder to people that the convergence of different cultures and peoples makes such a beautiful new thing.”

Organizers say the mural is intended to celebrate the city’s diverse population and foster a sense of belonging for residents and newcomers alike.