On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode on horseback from Boston to Lexington to deliver the message that British troops were heading this way. The American Revolution began in earnest the next day, with the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and the Minutemen were prepared. As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, Lex250 is installing several life-size painted horses to commemorate Paul Revere’s ride.

The first horse appeared outside Munroe Center for the Arts on Saturday. The community arts center’s design was created by Executive Director Cristina Burwell and painted by staff and tenant artists working alongside Lexington residents of all ages. The group came together to create a colorful, zentangled horse named Billie, after William Dawes, another messenger who also rode from Boston to Lexington with the message that the British were coming, but doesn’t get the same level of credit that Paul Revere enjoys.

Here’s the journey of the Munroe Center’s horse, in pictures:

A blank white horse is delivered to Munroe Center for the Arts / Credit: Craig Sandler
A design sketch / Credit: Sue Offsey
An artist at work / Credit: Cristina Burwell
Community members help paint the horse / Credit: Cristina Burwell
Detail work / Credit: Sue Offsey
The horse is revealed / Credit: Cristina Burwell

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