Community Pool Gets a Splash of Color

A local teacher, Deanna Ehrhardt, was busy adding color to a street box when Chris Tucci stopped by. He had an idea that would change the life of Lewiston’s children.

Tucci, who now runs the city’s aquatic program, saw that the community pool was at risk of closing. He decided to step in as a lifeguard and find ways to keep the water open for kids.

The plan grew when Deanna offered her art skills. Together they asked local artists and students to help paint murals on the pool’s walls. They also reached out to a nearby market that supports art, and its staff joined the effort.

The team used simple tools: stencils, a projector, and lots of paint. They worked over the weekend, turning bland walls into bright scenes that made the pool feel like a neighborhood playground.

The project has already drawn attention. Parents and residents are excited about the new look, and Tucci says more activities—like swim lessons—will follow. The pool is becoming a place where art and water mix to keep the town cool during hot summers.