BRIDGTON — The Bridgton Community Center has received a grant from the Maine Arts Commission to provide mural painting classes to youth and adults at the 15 Depot St. location. The theme of the project is Celebrating Traditional Arts. Through The National Endowment for the Arts, Folk and Traditional Arts Program the Celebrate Traditional Arts program promotes innovative ways to support traditional culture and artists living and working in Maine.

Two murals will be completed at the Bridgton Community Center through these classes taught by local artist Nelle Ely. The youth program will be displayed on the “playground” side of the BCC and will augment the vision of the newly planted children’s garden by the Gilroy Garden Initiative.

This project consists of three workshops, one of which took place June 8. The other two are being held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 15 and 22. This is an excellent opportunity for 10 youths from age 10 to 18 to learn the fine points of mural painting. To register for the free program call 647-3116.

The adult workshops will take place on July 24, 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a $40 fee for this project which will be displayed on the BCC garage next to the community gardens. Expand artistic experience with design and practical experience while creating lasting folk art in the Depot Street revival. Call 647-3116 to register.

No experience is necessary for either of these great opportunities. Participants’ contribution to the downtown will be highlighted at the Bridgton Folk Festival on Aug. 7.