WaterPower Collection-Holyoke City Hall

Late in the summer of 2025 Mayor Joshua Garcia asked the public for ideas to enliven the reception area that welcomes so many members of the community, officials, and politicians to our City Hall. Numerous people suggested that paintings were the best idea for the project. Natasha Colón Ortiz and Lora McNeece Barrett were the natural choices for this body of work as they have both been recognized for their many paintings of Holyoke’s buildings and canals. Natasha and Lora separately agreed to provide paintings for the space. When they learned that they would both be doing this project, they also suggested that, in addition to individual paintings, one painting be done cooperatively. The power of the city’s shared history and the power of the arts reunited these two women for this collaborative project.

The City of Holyoke’s strength has long been rooted in its remarkable canal system and the resilience of its people. Designed in the mid-19th century, the canals transformed Holyoke into a hub of industrial innovation, powering mills and factories that fueled economic growth. Over generations, the city’s diverse community has contributed to its vibrant culture and enduring spirit, adapting to change while honoring the legacy of those who built and sustained the canal system. Today, Holyoke’s canals remain a symbol of ingenuity and unity, reflecting both the city’s rich history and the determination of its residents.

Holyoke’s three levels of canals have not only shaped the city but have also served as the muse for the works of local artists Natasha Colón Ortiz and Lora McNeece Barrett. The two have a history, not an unusual occurrence in this city. Natasha was a sixth-grade student at the Holyoke Magnet Middle School for the Arts when she first stepped into Lora’s art classroom, and the spark of artistic connection was instant. Recently they reconnected as both had paintings selected for the Holyoke Storefront Gallery exhibit in the windows of buildings on High Street in the city. They met at the opening of the exhibit and discovered that they shared a love of the City of Holyoke, its canals, its buildings, and its people, and this love was reflected in their art. Their shared muse transformed the once student and teacher relationship of Natasha and Lora to a new bond, as colleagues who learn from each other, share ideas about art and commerce, and delight in the creation of art.


Natasha Colón Ortiz and Lora McNeece Barrett