A unique display of original artwork painted on Plexiglas is now protecting the Edge Hill Texaco during restoration and promoting art in the community. The project is a collaborative effort of the Fairfield Foundation, Leslie Belvin of Art Builds Community and Gloucester Arts on Main to connect fine art and historic preservation.

A significant component of the gas station’s rehabilitation involves re-glazing the large, metal frame windows that are a distinctive element of the building’s 1930s architecture. A grant from the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust is supporting the window restoration along with work by dedicated volunteers.

Thousands of drivers a day pass through the Route 14 and Main Street intersection where the station is situated. Covering the windows with Plexiglas is an effective protective measure, but relatively unattractive, said contributing artist Leslie Belvin.

Belvin said covering the windows with art, particularly original art base...