SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Fresh Paint Springfield held a community paint party Saturday over at the Mason Square Library.

Everyone came to grab a paintbrush and participate in the mural movement that was originally designed and created by AfriCOBRA artist Nelson Stevens.

“We’re keeping his memory and soul alive and I’m sure he’s proud because I am not an artist, but I’m here today to paint a part of one of the murals that he did back in the 70s,” said Theresa Cooper-Gordon of Holyoke.

The community mural is done in a paint-by-number style, using polytab to mesh together all of the pieces, allowing the community to paint together and commemorate Stevens’ Legacy throughout the city.

“We have been working with the city of Springfield and Fresh Paint mainly to kind of recreate the design of Nelson Stevens’ design murals so that the community can actually paint them,” Greta McLain of Community Mural Institute told 22News.

Fresh Paint Springfield bringing the community together over some paint and brushes to kick off their week of public art creation, bringing color and life throughout Springfield to bring life and color.

“This event is to know that history can stay alive even though some of it was destroyed,” Theresa continued. “Some of those paintings are not here, they are not coming back. So that’s the importance of it, that we keep our legends alive by any means necessary and that’s what we are doing today.”

The Fresh Paint Festival will run from September 11 to September 17 and will feature 10 murals across different neighborhoods throughout Springfield.