A new public memorial of sorts recently appeared in Burlington's South End: the name "Mick," emblazoned in all-capital purple and black letters on the second-floor exterior of 339 Pine Street. Over the M, written in smaller, cursive letters, are the words "Rest in Peace." The unsanctioned commemoration rises above the inconspicuous tractor trailer yard where Michael Deloreto — known as "Mick" or "Mickey" to friends — lived. The tribute is suitable. Though Deloreto was not an artist, the legacy he leaves is largely an artistic one. He used his role as an informal gatekeeper of the truck yard to support the work of a handful of local artists and makers living and working in the South End — an area whose character and affordability is inexorably changing. Artist Clark Derbes'"Truck Lot Gallery" is likely the highest-profile and most visible creative use of the space. In 2009, the Burlington artist approached Deloreto about using some of the lot's storage trailers as ready-made surfaces. "I expected him to say no," Derbes said. But Deloreto said yes. Eight years later, Derbes has made dozens of original, site-specific paintings on trailers in the lot, from abstract op-art-esque works to the declaration "Marriage is nice!" With Deloreto's permission, Derbes transformed the yard into what he refers to as "a giant outdoor sketchbook." He has since documented the work in limited-edition artist books. "[Mick was] the toughest dude I've ever associated with," Derbes said, adding, "he was really sweet and really kind underneath the abrasive surface." Derbes recalled that Deloreto would offer candid critiques of his work, such as, "That one's good, I like that" and "I hate that one — you can paint over that one." [content-1] Deloreto's special brand of fierceness and generosity is a recurring observation by those who knew him. Burlington maker Pete Talbot of the Cardboard Teck Instantute paid Deloreto to park his retrofitted bus at the lot. Talbot said that, when he was preparing to take the vehicle on its first cross-country venture, Deloreto insisted on arming him. A seemingly gentle sort, Talbot resisted Deloreto's various offers of weaponry but finally accepted what he called "the 'ought not' stick." Talbot described the instrument as a leather lanyard attached to a wooden ax handle with the caution "You ought not fuck with me" written on it in Sharpie. At a June 4 memorial service held for Deloreto, Derbes suggested…
A new public memorial of sorts recently appeared in Burlington's South End: the name "Mick," emblazoned in all-capital purple and black letters on the second-floor exterior of 339 Pine Street. Over the M, written in smaller, cursive letters, are the words "Rest in Peace." The unsanctioned commemoration rises above the inconspicuous tractor trailer yard where Michael Deloreto — known as "Mick" or "Mickey" to friends — lived. The tribute is suitable. Though Deloreto was not an artist, the legacy he leaves is largely an artistic one. He used his role as an informal gatekeeper of the truck yard to support the work of a handful of local artists and makers living and working in the South End — an area whose character and affordability is inexorably changing. Artist Clark Derbes'"Truck Lot Gallery" is likely the highest-profile and most visible creative use of the space. In 2009, the Burlington artist approached Deloreto about using some of the lot's storage trailers as ready-made surfaces. "I expected him to say no," Derbes said. But Deloreto said yes. Eight years later, Derbes has made dozens of original, site-specific paintings on trailers in the lot, from abstract op-art-esque works to the declaration "Marriage is nice!" With Deloreto's permission, Derbes transformed the yard into what he refers to as "a giant outdoor sketchbook." He has since documented the work in limited-edition artist books. "[Mick was] the toughest dude I've ever associated with," Derbes said, adding, "he was really sweet and really kind underneath the abrasive surface." Derbes recalled that Deloreto would offer candid critiques of his work, such as, "That one's good, I like that" and "I hate that one — you can paint over that one." [content-1] Deloreto's special brand of fierceness and generosity is a recurring observation by those who knew him. Burlington maker Pete Talbot of the Cardboard Teck Instantute paid Deloreto to park his retrofitted bus at the lot. Talbot said that, when he was preparing to take the vehicle on its first cross-country venture, Deloreto insisted on arming him. A seemingly gentle sort, Talbot resisted Deloreto's various offers of weaponry but finally accepted what he called "the 'ought not' stick." Talbot described the instrument as a leather lanyard attached to a wooden ax handle with the caution "You ought not fuck with me" written on it in Sharpie. At a June 4 memorial service held for Deloreto, Derbes suggested…