Ernesto Maranje's mural "Curiosity" is in Miramar Park Place in Florida.Ernesto Maranje

Thornes Marketplace in Northampton will soon have a new mural painted on the back side of the building. The mural will be painted by Ernesto Maranje, a Florida artist who specializes in murals and street art, according to a statement from Thorne’s.

Maranje will start painting the mural toward the end of September and is expected to complete it in two weeks. The mural will incorporate weaver birds and raccoons, with layers of small flowers, fauna and “creative touches,” the statement said.

“Weaver birds have continuously been a symbol in my work. I imagine that they are the ones constructing my pieces, weaving together leaves, twigs, flowers to create the finished piece,” Maranje said. “The weaver birds are the composers of the design.”

Maranje first started painting in 2012 as part of a vocation. After he became injured serving as a diesel mechanic in the U.S. Coastguard, he started to do odd jobs painting on land. One of his first painting jobs was to paint the California flag on window shutters, since then he’s been passionate about art work.

He then decided to take art classes at the Art Institute of Miami, before he would eventually go on to participate in mural festivals in Europe and the Middle East. From 2015 to 2018, Maranje painted murals on walls, residential houses and the sides of buildings in communities with orphans and refuses. Although Maranje did not get paid for his work at the mural festivals, he did gain valuable experience. To date, he has painted 80 murals. He mainly uses acrylics and spray paint in his work.

“The inspiration comes from different avenues,” Maranje said in the statement. “Another inspiration is seeing the final product — seeing the wall complete and being satisfied with completion. Inspiration for the subject matter comes from biology. I have a fondness for evolution and species. There are lots of animals and organic elements in my work.”

This upcoming mural will be on the east exterior wall of Thornes next to the parking lot and the entrance to the marketplace’s parking garage. The mural will cover the entire back of the building including under the root and awning.

The mural is part of a $20,000 grant-funded project from the city of Northampton. Maranje’s work was selected from a field of 87 applicants. The grant is set to cover Maranje’s services and supplies, while Thorne’s will spend $6,000 in other costs for the project. The grant is funded by two donations from D.A. Sullivan & Sons, Inc. for the upcoming artwork.

“It’s great to see building owners excited to invite mural art, and D.A. Sullivan & Sons has been a longtime supporter of projects intended to improve the city for everyone,” said Brian Foote, director of arts and culture for the city of Northampton.

Maranje owns his own mural company, which his wife Hilary manages.

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