Titus Blade Steele; A Revival Story

Titus Blade Steele
A Story of Revival

This is a brand new campaign in which many more details will be shared shortly. This story is about a man named Titus Blade Steele, who was a pioneer artist in Newburyport, Massachusetts for over 35 years during the 60's, 70's and 1980's, becoming instrumental in creating the 'art culture'  that exist today.

In 2016, Newburyport was designated a 'Historical and Cultural District' in the State of Massachusetts. The story of Titus Blade Steele has a lot to do with the reason why.

The more I delve into this story and this man,.....the more I gain appreciation for this project.

There will be lots more to share in due time, including writings, pictures and art by Titus, and more!

The following links provide more information about Titus Blade Steele, and the 'Artisans Revival Project".

Please stay tuned to updates for more shortly.
Help spread the word!

Titus Blade Steele - Facebook

Original WREG News Story

Connecting Memphis

Titus Blade Steel -
Looking Through the Lens of Nadia Strid

Animal Rescue

Cat Around Tenement

Titus Blade Steele now needs our help for his contributions to this great city. Together with our continued struggle for Revival, we can make a change to help assist Titus, and other community artist by instilling a better, more localized and sustainable economic foundation as well as opportunities to contribute to a more vibrant, co-creative environment.

One that ensures no artistan ever needs to face this type of situation at any time during their life.

My name is John William Brown. I am an artist/photographer currently living in Newburyport, Massachusetts D.B.A, the Spirit of Newburyport. I am also the coordinator of the Inn Street Artisans Revival (See Links Below) and I am currently working on bringing about an Artisans Revival in the city of Newburyport.

I have just come to learn of Titus Blade Steele. My intention with this project is to not only assist Titus, but also to call attention to the Artisans Revival project.

I am currently tracking down Titus's artwork murals that still exist in Newburyport and Boston today. I will be reporting on my findings and more on this story as it developes.

Here is the first mural I have tracked down of Titus Blade Steele. It is in the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newburyport. I believe it is a memorial to his slain brother in 1977.


Detail;



In the meantime, here is some history about a city's (and Country's) revival, and the role of its artist.

Newburyport; A Measure of Change

An incredible video that chronicles the pivotal span of time when the city transformed itself from a worn-out mill town to a vibrant destination city by using historic preservation (First in the nation to use restoration rather than demolition for urban renewal) and in which municipalities across the United States have since modeled themselves in the same way.


After Newburyports transformation in the late seventies, many artist continued to flourish in their fields due to the historical, cultural, and environemntal surroundings.

But then things began to change.

Due to the influx of many developers and commercial ventures, properties, as well as retail and housing rentals, began to rise astronomically.

Artist could no longer afford to live and work in the area. By the turn of the century, most began to move and relocate to other areas, leaving a city still teaming with local creative talent, but without many outlets to provide for a sustianable income based on their art or craft.

Newburyport; An American Perspective
The Origins of an Artisans Revival

Yankee Homecoming Inn Street Artisans Revival
The Creation of a Artisans Revival

Inn Street Artisans Revival - Facebook

Worth The Price of Admission

Home Grown Festival

Artisan Revival Library Presentation
Defining a Revival

Tribute to Jack Frost

Inn Street Blues

Inn Street Artisans Market

Spirit of Newburyport Blog
The Ongoing Story of Revival