Color is starting to come back to Warren, and it's not just from the flowers and budding trees. Seven artists spread out around downtown Warren Sunday, transforming drab utility boxes into custom public works of art.

"I tried yesterday, but it started raining as soon as I got here," said Connor Robinson, who like his fellow six artists was commissioned by the town to paint boxes around the downtown area.

Luckily, Sunday was perfect painting weather. Connor spent the afternoon painting a box across the street from the post office with colorful aquatic scenes, and other works of art went up on Railroad Avenue, Market Street and other downtown spots.

This is the second round of Warren's public art project, which started with two utility boxes on Water Street two years ago. This round attracted more than 35 submissions from artists across the Northeast. Uriah Donnelly, vice chairman of the Warren Arts and Cultural Commission worked with Warren Community Development Director Bob Rulli and representatives of The Avenue Concept to select the chosen artists. They are being paid with grant proceeds from the town's state-financed Take It Outside initiative.