National Outfit of the Day is Sunday. Here's five New Bedford spots to strike a pose.
NEW BEDFORD — Celebrate your personal style and self-expression on June 30, known as National OOTD Day (Outfit of the Day).
You can strike a pose in front of several downtown spots with a fun backdrop and murals such as the Downtown Postcards to New Bedford mural or the the Wings Court Love mural by Cey Adams.
Take the opportunity to showcase your best self by sharing your OOTD on social media. As fashion and confidence go hand in hand, the national day encourages people to take a few extra minutes to select the perfect outfit and show off a dazzling smile in a selfie or photograph.
Here are five places to consider striking a pose in style this Sunday, on National OOTD Day:
'Love on the Ave' mural
On the corner of Acushnet and Phillips Avenue, the Love the Ave wall not only serves as a fantastic photo backdrop, but also represents support for the Love The Ave committee. This committee, made up of diverse community members, is dedicated to promoting the equally diverse commercial corridor of Acushnet Avenue and the entire North End of New Bedford.
Established in 2022, the New Bedford TDI District, led by MassDevelopment, focuses on revitalizing this beloved area, lovingly referred to as "The Ave."
According to the website, as part of the Transformative Development Initiative, the TDI District aims to stimulate economic growth, encourage community development and attract private investment through infrastructure improvements and public space enhancements. Working closely with local stakeholders, businesses and residents, the program identifies priorities and implements initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the neighborhood.
West Beach Sign & Scallop Shell mural
According to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, located on Clarks Cove, West Beach is a popular destination for residents of New Bedford looking to unwind and enjoy the sandy shore. This beach offers stunning views of Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing day out with the family.
With its wide expanse of sand and gentle waves, West Beach is renowned for its tranquil waters, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for city families. In the summer months, lifeguards are on duty and the convenient bathhouse facilities make it easy to rinse off and refresh after a day spent in the sun. Just across the street, Hazelwood Park offers a peaceful grassy area with expansive views of Clarks Cove and Buzzards Bay.
The perfect spot to take a photo would be either the sign that says West Beach or the artistic scallop shell located on the other side of the building.
Postcards to New Bedford
Installed in 2020, on the back wall of 674 Pleasant St., "Postcards to New Bedford" by Superflat NB is a mural that celebrates the city. Created by professional sign and mural painter Greg Pennisten, who collaborated with artists Kailey Barrows, Alex Jardin, Lena McCarthy and Eden Soares, the multiple cards gave each artist an individual voice or "postcard" to represent their relationship to the city.
This mural has become the perfect spot to snap a photo while also highlighting the downtown area of New Bedford.
Wings Court Love mural
Superflats NB enlisted the talents of renowned muralist Cey Adams to create a brand new "Love" mural in Wings Court. Known for his iconic "Love murals" in cities such as Detroit, Jackson and New York, Adams' work is highly sought after to do a version in New Bedford.
The mural is another great spot, located between Union and William Streets, to snap a photo in front of the large, almost three dimensional, word "Love."
Let the Children Paint mural
In October 2023, the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium (NBACE) hosted Kilburn Mill’s first indoor mural slam featuring three murals to be designed inside the space. Artist Autumn Liv Cyr's "Let the Children Paint" mural was an ode to controversy over the the Star Store, and how young starts will still figure out how make art even if its taken away from them.
The mural represents a child not having the ability or resources to be an artist. As they begin to cry, their tears fall onto a piece of paper and become art in itself is a solemn but honorable spot to strike a pose while highlighting this important mission statement.
"It is imperative that the youth (and anyone) should be allowed to create should they want to," said Cyr.
Who invented the selfie trend?
According to Paris Hilton, she said she invented the "selfie" but it turns out Sasaki Miho is recognized as the pioneer of the digital selfie, having introduced the concept in 1994.
Working for Atlus, a game company, she drew inspiration from the booming trend of photo stickers and girl photo culture in Japan during the 90s. Miho's ingenious proposal for "purikura" or Japanese photo sticker booths, originally introduced by the video game arcade industry, laid the foundation for the creation of the digital selfie. With the support of Sega, another Japanese video game company, Atlus was able to bring Miho's idea to life.
In 2005, Canadian inventor Wayne Fromm revolutionized the way we take self-portraits by patenting the selfie stick, originally called the Quik Pod, according to KnowledgeTribe.com. This handheld, extendable stick allows for pictures to be taken from further distances, making it perfect for solo travelers and group shots.
The idea for the selfie stick came to Fromm during a 2002 trip to Florence with his daughter, Sage. While trying to take a photo of themselves on the famous Ponte Vecchio, they struggled to find a place to rest their camera.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford murals for photos, National Outfit of the Day day.
