New Bedford Creative has started a new storytelling initiative, enlisting eight individuals and two organizations as "Creative Ambassadors." Their job will be to use their skills as artists to help residents to better connect with the city's history and culture.

The campaign is called "Love Letters for New Bedford." New Bedford's Creative Strategist Margo Saulnier and local artist Mandy Fraser, a Creative Ambassador, stopped by Townsquare Sunday this week to offer more insight.

Josh Souza/Courtesy New Bedford Creative
Josh Souza/Courtesy New Bedford Creative
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Saulnier said the inspiration for Love Letters for New Bedford came from a song written by local singer Candida Rose Baptista.

"We have been using that as an inspiration to ask how can we as residents of New Bedford, as artists of New Bedford, love each other through," Saulnier said.

Saulnier said the program was designed over the past year, and creative ambassadors will be visiting events throughout the city, connecting with residents through art, song, and other activities.

Fraser calls her project "The Secret City Whales."

"I had been doing these paintings that are full of words, painted in a graffiti-style that make up love letters to New Bedford; different mottos, sayings and what are people's favorite parts of the city," she said.

Fraser has attended five events so far, collecting words and slogans from residents and adding them to her paintings.

Saulnier said another example are the wheat paste murals being created at West Beach by Julia Ritchie, asking two questions: what do you love about New Bedford, and how can New Bedford love you better?

Saulnier said the goal is to create a greater appreciation of arts and culture in New Bedford, and build a stronger connection to the community.

The complete Townsquare Sunday interview with Saulnier and Fraser can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program, heard Sunday mornings at 6 on 1420 AM and 99.5 FM.

The program highlights individuals and organizations working to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.

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