Owens Creates Print for Middletown Group Protesting Strip Mall

A print of the linoleum block for "No Strip Mall, No Wrecking Ball"

Katharine Owens, assistant professor of politics and government, A&S, recently created a linoleum print in support of a protest in Middletown, Conn.

Owens, a resident of the North End neighborhood in Middletown, helped out a group that has been protesting the destruction of several historic houses to make way for a drive-through commercial building. Many residents feel the drive-through strip mall is not in keeping with the neighborhood and that the businesses could easily take over empty storefronts two blocks away on Middletown's Main Street. Despite protests, the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission voted to allow the project to move forward on March 13, 2013. A group of citizens is currently suing the P&Z Commision and Acquisition Holding, the development group.

Owens, a printmaker for the last 20 years, created the image, which will be made into a limited edition of prints and T-shirts. All money raised will be used for the legal defense.   

The poster story has been covered in a Middletown Patch article and in the local blog, The Middletown Eye.