–Johnson City, New York.
On Friday, November 3, at 1:30 PM Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie will officially dedicate the murals at Floral Park to the children of the community by cutting a ceremonial ribbon at the park’s main entrance. Mural Fest 2017 marked the Village’s first foray into public art installations. Johnson City has been labeled the Health & Cultural iDistrict as part of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council’s regional plan. In support of this designation, the Village plans to champion public art installations throughout Johnson City. Studies have shown public art can be a high impact, low cost method to increase vitality, community cohesion and property values. Mural Fest 2017 was attended by an estimated 300 people of all ages from throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
Five permanent murals at Floral Ave. Park were created by the Dept. of Public Art (DPA), a volunteer organization that has more than 20 murals to its credit. "Johnson City is a great canvas for our public art and we look forward to more opportunities to transform the urban landscape," said Peg Johnston, one of the DPA's organizers. Lead artists on the project included Susan Champeny, resident artist from Massachusetts, Bruce Greig, master muralist from New Zealand and Binghamton, Judy Salton, member of the Cooperative Gallery, and Shawna Stevenson, graphic artist studying at Syracuse University. Over 1000 volunteer hours were donated to these murals and the Mural Fest activities October 7th.
The Dept of Public Art has received a grant from the Town of Union Community Development Block Grants funds that will be used for more murals. Additional funding was received from Broome County's Hotel/Motel Fund, The Chenango Co. Arts Council Decentralization Program a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature. Additional support for Broome County was provided by the Stewart W. & Willma C. Hoyt Foundation.
Visit www.deptofpublicart.com and the Dept of Public Art facebook page for more information.