Once Upon A Time…
Worcester Public Library // 2021
Mural designed & painted by Ryan Gardell
Assisted by Ivy Orth & Ferlay Jean-Baptiste
Special thanks to The Worcester Public Library
Once Upon A Time is a series of interconnected murals that were designed & painted for the Worcester Public Library in March 2021. The murals cover a three floor stairwell, which leads to the children’s section, as part of a large renovation of the library. It took roughly one year of planning, three weeks of designs and four weeks on site to tackle this project. Since this mural covers all walls 360 degrees, it had to be captured in many shots. Pictured here is the foyer which serves as both the entrance and the exit. As visitors to the library, we are the heroes of our own story, departing from the city for a brief escape into the world of the imagination.
This mural depicts the evolution of language and reading throughout history, the impact that access to books has made on humanity, and how literature plays a role in our lives today and tomorrow. We also squeezed as many references as we could to our favorite folklore, fairytales and mythology, but also included non-fiction, scientific references and a few local icons and landmarks. We had a blast creating this, and I hope it encourages people to visit their local library and pick up a book!
Chapter 1
As we enter the library, the pages of the book turn and the story unfolds… a ship sets sail across the ocean in search of hidden treasures. The desire to explore leads us the boat to a foreign land before it’s attacked by a giant octopus, stranding it upon shore. A glowing light from a distant cave offers some hope for shelter, and beckons us to keep pushing forward, not knowing what awaits us around the next corner…
Chapter 2
Lost and stranded, we wander in the cave seeking answers. Lucky for us, a friendly dragon has been hoarding spells for centuries, and decides to share a few secrets with us. We’re told that the real “treasure” is our ability to read, write, and create a better future for ourselves through learning. Our knight in shining armor emerges from the gem-filled cave victorious, as the tools of creativity have been unlocked, and can be returned to village. From the magical paintbrush flows the sands of time, and the hourglass fast forwards us into a brighter tomorrow…
Chapter 3
Fast forward to a steam punk age of innovation, beginning with the invention of the printing press, which made reading accessible to working class citizens, and educated the masses out of the dark ages. This technology inevitably sparked the industrial revolution, steam powered engines, electricity, light bulbs, etc. The Tesla coil radiating energy represents the mad scientists whose laboratory research contributed to many of these modern conveniences. The railroad captures the American spirit of adventure and mirrors Worcester’s history as a busy port for freight trains. Our tracks are supported by books, showing how modern engineering has allowed our infrastructure to expand. As we ascend the mountain we continue our path of intellectual evolution, as there will always be more to read and learn, there is always another peak or valley which we must cross. Humanity’s insatiable curiosity and hunger for knowledge will always drive us further into the unknown.
Chapter 4
A magical castle in the clouds appears, as a wise owl flies towards us carrying a message-bearing scroll to it’s destination. Also rising from the clouds are hot air balloons, reminding us that Imagination is what allows our minds to take flight when we read. We continue floating higher and higher til we reach the moon and the stars, leaving the atmosphere and approaching outer space…
Chapter 5
Humanity has reached the final frontier of outer space, thanks to the wonders science and mathematics. Many of the original NASA spacesuits were developed and manufactured in Worcester, along with the invention of the first fuel propelled rocket. Our astronaut sports a tablet, showing how reading has evolved from paper to digital in the modern age, with wireless internet connecting the entire globe together. The rocket blasts towards the great beyond, and a message from a galaxy far, far away says “Reading takes you everywhere!” The “tree of knowledge”, which has grown all the way from the ground to space, has evolved into an alien life form, sending signals into the universe, beckoning other extraterrestrials. We have reached the apex of human knowledge, but as we see the alien UFO soar off into the cosmos, we realize there is always more to learn, and there will always be great mysteries in this universe that we will never truly understand… The End.