Until recently, I haven't paid much attention to urban murals, those big, colorful paintings on the sides of city buildings that depict everything from likenesses of historical figures to weirdly assigned splashes of bright colors that brighten inner-city landscapes.

However, while in Norwich recently and having read various descriptions of some new murals in news accounts and on social media, I decided to drive through downcity and have a look. At the same time, I asked Facebook friends who live, work or even pass through Norwich to weigh in with their own thoughts. The results: people like them and wouldn't mind seeing more.

"I think they are beautiful," wrote Valerie Braxton-Gambrell, my classmate years ago at Kelly Junior High School and Norwich Free Academy. "We need something to brighten this dull and drab city."

"Don't live in Norwich anymore, but visit Cas (her father) often - the murals are beautiful, IMHO," wrote Rachel Grygorcewicz. "Well done. Very colorful, add a ton of character. Looks professional in the same way I see street art in NYC (New York City)."

"They look beautiful," added Deb Neuman.

"Love them," agreed Ward Eccles.

"Just saw them this week," reported Carol Maher. "They are amazing."

The murals were commissioned by the Norwich Street Art Collective, which plans more in the future by both nationally acclaimed and local artists.

Not everyone likes them, but of about 30 people who wrote, the response was overwhelmingly welcoming and positive. Now, this survey was hardly scientific. I'm sure there are some others out there who don't like them, maybe even consider them to be eyesores. But that's one of the great things about art in any form - some will like it; others won't, and neither side will be timid about sharing their views. Seldom will we find unanimity.

Norwich, it seems, is part of a large and growing number of cities throughout the country and the world that has livened up its appearance and its image through these large, brightly colored murals. I heard from friends in other parts of the country, natives of Norwich and Connecticut, who enjoy murals in their adopted hometowns.

Ed Kopko, who grew up in Norwich, wrote that St. Petersburg, Fla., where he now owns a home, "has embraced murals and they have become part of the fabric of the community."

"This art is seen all over Florida, including our little beach town Lake Worth Beach," added Wendy Macintosh. "I love it."

Andrea McGill O'Rourke reports there are 60 "really beautiful" murals in Lake Placid, Fla.

"In Houston, Texas, they are welcome and a beautiful addition to our city," wrote Colleen Casady. "They also demonstrate the talent of some of these amazing artists, who would probably never been noticed without this amazing opportunity." She acknowledged that in conservative, otherwise colorless venues "they are shocking to the eye at first."

I will acknowledge being taken aback at first when driving down Union Street into the City Hall intersection and being confronted by a large, brightly colored mural. "Metamorphosis," by Puerto Rican artist Carlitos Skills, on an old building at 59 Broadway features colorful butterflies, a portion of a woman's face and a large eyeball staring back at us. My first reaction was "Whoa!" But then, I thought back to what used to be there - a colorless, lifeless brick wall, like so many others downcity. If nothing else, it is in stark contrast to what had previously been there and it certainly gets your attention.

"That one is definitely not to my taste at all," wrote Karen Hall. "Will continue to look around for others."

There is another mural further down Broadway on the side of the former People's Bank building; one on Franklin Street, just up the street from where the Norwich Bulletin used to be. Another, older mural adorns the former city fire headquarters, which now houses the Chestnut Street Playhouse.

Some are more popular than others. Not all of them appeal to everyone.

Some with experience in the arts world believe this is the beginning of a long-overdue movement to brighten a city landscape in dire need of a facelift. They foresee the artwork drawing visitors to the city and lead to something of a renaissance.

"Murals have become the public art of today," wrote Linda MacCluggage, who spearheaded the 1980s revival and restoration of New London's Garde Arts Center, named the nation's Outstanding Historic Theater this year. "There are thousands of appreciative fans who visit communities solely to view the mural art, so Norwich joins a prestigious group."

"The vibrant and artistic works invite a renewed interest to down city," wrote Cheryl Todd. "There should be a requirement in place that they be properly refreshed and maintained. If it successfully attracts people to come and view these murals, it could spark new interest and retail investment."

Wendy Taylor Bury, Executive Director of the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, works downcity and sees the murals almost every day.

"Easily one of the most gorgeous murals I have ever seen ... locally, in Connecticut and in my travels," she wrote of "Metamorphosis.“ "Grateful to work in the center, on Franklin Street, of the new murals. We funded another one coming soon to the Sunlight Building. These are not just 'lipstick on a pig' (meaning drab, bare walls), there is a ton of work going on in the city to create positive change behind those new beautiful walls."

Count me among those who have come around to support the initiative. Like so many others from Norwich, I've often complained about how drab downcity looks. In recent years, however, it has been making a modest comeback through the hard work of investors, retailers, community leaders and a thriving Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.

Here's to the artists and those whose vision and desire for a better Norwich have brought them here and brightened the city. Like its street art, the city's future is bright, colorful and alive.

Bill Stanley, a former vice president at L+M Hospital, grew up in Norwich.