MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 13, 2021) – Foxwoods Resort Casino, the premier resort casino in North America, recently unveiled a one-of-a-kind mural by global artist and viral sensation Kelsey Montague at a special dedication ceremony. The beautiful new interactive installation honors first responders and aims to encourage all who witness it to take a moment to find peace and gratitude in their heart as we move forward into a brighter tomorrow.
Exclusive to Foxwoods, The Arbor Swing mural – adorned with the flowers of each of the fifty states – represents strength in unity, appreciation for community and hopefulness as we look toward the future. Pequot elements woven throughout – including the Mashantucket Cedar Swamp rhododendrons, lady slipper orchids, basket weaving patterns and Tribal symbol – are meant to honor the Mashantucket Tribe, the land upon which this mural sits and the Pequot People.
“We are thrilled to showcase Kelsey’s mural here at Foxwoods, as it truly embodies our rich history,” said Jason Guyot, President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. “We are privileged by the opportunity to collaborate with Kelsey to include meaningful tribal elements in this stunning mural. The piece is very special to us as Kelsey’s work beautifully represents the spirit of Foxwoods and the culture and values of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. By integrating art into the resort, we are finding new paths to connect with our guests and provide unique experiences that they won’t soon forget.”
Montague is well-known from her #WhatLiftsYou wings on the streets of Nashville and beyond, and her collaboration with famous singer/songwriter Taylor Swift. Kelsey’s large-scale, interactive street murals are famous around the world for allowing people to step into her work and become a living piece of art. As a firm believer that art should not be separated from the human experience, but rather human experiences should have a hand in creating art, she aims to engage communities through her work and social media to motivate them to reflect on what inspires them most in life. The Arbor Swing Mural at Foxwoods is the first arbor mural Montague has created and her first and only mural in Connecticut.
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to bring my work to Foxwoods, as this was an amazingly creative project with so much meaning behind it,” said artist Kelsey Montague. “Creating something of this magnitude that highlights the courageous efforts of our first responders over the last year and symbolizes the entire U.S. coming together, while paying tribute to the Mashantucket Tribe has been a remarkable experience. I hope the community shares in my excitement and feels inspired to learn more about the local culture that has such a vibrant history, and that this mural brings joy for years to come.”
While planning your next trip to Foxwoods, be sure to include a visit to the Arbor Swing mural, located across from Cedars Steaks & Oysters, to experience the stunning display personally, snap a few photos and tag @Foxwoods and @KelseyMontagueArt on Instagram along with the hashtag #WhatLiftsYou and #FoxwoodsMural.
For more information about the mural — and to watch a fun timelapse video of Kelsey’s artistic process, visit Foxwoods.com/kelseymontague. To escape the ordinary and experience summertime magic at Foxwoods, visit Foxwoods.com/Summerfest for more information.