Living With Water

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Rust2Green Binghamton is bringing together a collective of government officials, community organization leaders, university partners, and artists to spearhead a new project called Living With Water (LWW), which aims to foster a more resilient and sustainable city by focusing in on the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers as important cultural and economic assets of the community. The first step in this process is to hear from you – we will host story circles across the Binghamton community in the month of August.
 
A story circle is simple – participants sit in a circle and tell personal stories based on a question surrounding the 2011 and 2006 floods. We believe that the voices of those who have experienced flooding should be central to the process of post-flood learning and community resilience.
 
The goal of these circles is to gather stories from people in the Binghamton community, engage these communities in dialogue around flooding, and share flood preparation resources. Ultimately, the stories will be compiled and used to shape a theatrical performance at the 2016 Living With Water Fall summit.
This summit, which is being held on October 7th and 8th, is being designed to commemorate the 5th and 10th anniversaries of the ‘06 and ‘11 floods as well as to educate and collaborate on strengthening flood recovery, response, and adaptation for the future.
 
Mon 8/1 1:30pm–3:30pm First Ward Senior Center
Tue 8/2  6:00pm–8:00pm 97 Riverside Dr, Binghamton, NY 13905
Mon 8/8  5:30pm 7:30pm  Broome County Public Library – Decker Room
Tue 8/16  6:00pm 8:00pm  Methodist Church
 
For press matters, contact: Sam Morrison; Rust2GreenBing@gmail.com

Photo: Ada Stallman Collage
 

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10th Global Mural Conference

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10th Global Mural Conference Coming to Fairport, NY, USA
September 21 – 24, 2016 – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Features include: large mosaic mural painted by kids, live mural painting demos, and bus tours of local murals

Fairport, NY, – FOR IMMEDAITE RELEASE:  Registration is NOW OPEN for anyone to attend the 10th Global Mural Conference (GMC) being held at Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, Fairport, NY, USA. The GMC welcomes attendees beginning on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, and runs through Saturday, September 24, 2016. Registration to the GMC includes daily activities of interest to artists, public art enthusiasts, government officials interested in mural procurement, and anyone who would love to learn more about the world of mural development. The GMC is designed to educate and entertain attendees through panel discussions, live mural demos, mural project overviews, mural-viewing bus tours, local mural dedications, and a formal gala featuring both live musical entertainment as well as an on-site spray-art demonstration.

The conference, conceived by The Global Mural Arts and Cultural Tourism Association, has been reliably attracting locals, visitors, high profile speakers and talented muralists in venues around the world for more than 20 years. Hosting the GMC in our area has been made possible through the efforts of Lyons resident Mark DeCracker, founder of Mural Mania, who attended and persuaded the GMACTA leaders at the 9th Global Mural Conference, in Quebec in 2014, to consider upstate New York for this year’s conference. This area is an excellent choice since the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has murals in many towns and villages that depict our cultural history.

During the GMC, there will also be a mural Expo occurring simultaneously at the same location. In a large tent on the grounds of Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, several artists, both International and local, will paint murals on large pieces of Evolon. These artists will begin their work a few days prior to the conference and complete the murals just before the GMC comes to a close. During the formal gala, which takes place on the last night of the GMC, guests will be able to view the completed murals and meet the artists. Organizations, businesses, and individual contributors to the Expo are being given the opportunity to acquire one of these murals by way of a donation of support to the Expo. Murals can subsequently be permanently displayed anywhere the donor chooses. More info about mural acquisition can be obtained by contacting the event organizers through www.GMC2016.com.

The final night’s formal gala brings local celebrity and American Idol finalist from Williamson, NY, Jenna Renae, as the live musical entertainment. Guests of the gala will also be entertained by world-renown Australian spray-paint artist Damien Mitchell, as he completes a custom-designed piece on-site right before guest’s eyes. A limited supply of extra tickets to the gala will be open to the public. Tickets will be on sale soon, from the GMC website: www.GMC2016.com.

On display during the GMC will be a large mosaic mural, the pieces of which have been created by young students spanning across New York State. The mural depicts an image of familiar icons of the Erie Canal: a mule and a packet boat. The 12’x16’ mural was cut into 768 mosaic tiles that are 6” squares. Each student has painted on their tile a scene from either their local heritage, or the Erie Canal’s history. Scenes capture local heritage, the Underground Railroad, Women’s Suffrage, Native American culture or flora and fauna of New York State. However, the montage of individual student paintings placed together will reveal the original larger image. The public is invited to view this mural, which will be under the Expo tent on the grounds of Woodcliff. Admission to the Expo tent is FREE and open to all, including families.

Don’t wait to register for the Global Mural Conference, as space is limited. The GMC is an opportunity for people all over the world to enjoy this educational, multicultural, unique art experience! www.GMC2016.com

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Art of Binghamton

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"ART OF BINGHAMTON" gallery event presented by Matthew Card , owner of Matthew Card
Photography and Steven Palmer, a pioneer of Binghamton’s First Friday, art educator, digital 

designer and programmer at Binghamton University and owner of GAGRAGS (Binghamton based
t-shirt company). This event is made possible by the generous support by our main sponsor Tyrone Muse, President/ CEO of Visions FCU, and our other sponsors which are Roberson Museum and Science Center, The Bundy Museum , Binghamton Brewing Co, Strange Brew , Glen Park VineYards, Plenty Oh! Foods, and BingoRento.

The opening for "Art of Binghamton" will be at Roberson Museum and Science Center’s Sawtelle Gallery on Friday, August 12, 2016 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Art of Binghamton is apremiere gallery experience of art created by 17 local artists. These artists have displayed and sold their work locally and nationally. Many are art educators and were born and raised here. It is evident that they reflect their pride and love for their hometown in their artwork. Each piece is a unique representation of Binghamton – past, present or future. The most impressive aspect of this show is that it is an eclectic groupof media from classic to advanced digital that will offer an eye opening viewpoint behind the appealing interest and history Binghamton has to the beholder.

BINGHAMTON ECLECTIC MEDIA BY: Matthew Card • Victor Lay • Hall Groat II • David Skyrca • Danielle Herman • Steven Palmer • Kirk & Lesli Van Zandbergen • Mike Ricciardi • Chuck Haupt • Thomas LaBarbera • Drew Lewis • Gregory Milunich • Amara Kopakova • Rebecca Collins • Scott Anderson • Robert C. Johnston

LIVE MUSIC BY: The Island Hoppers Steel Band, Alex Creamer and Black Apple Current Unplugged

FOOD and BEVERAGES BY: Binghamton Brewing, Plenty Oh! Foods, Enfields, Strange Brew, Glen Park Vineyards and more…

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Bailout of NY Nuclear Power

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A landmark energy policy decision is about to made in New York, and unfortunately, it’s going the wrong direction. Over the last several months, the New York Public Service Commission has been considering a “Clean Energy Standard” to ensure that utilities are required to buy renewable energy and get the state to its 50% renewable energy by 2030 goal. Unfortunately, the plan also includes a requirement that utilities (and their customers) buy nuclear energy, and that we pay a premium for that nuclear power. Under the plan, Exelon Corporation would receive massive $7.6 billion subsidy in order to bail out unprofitable nuclear plants in upstate NY.

Supporters are being urged to write a letter to Governor Cuomo, NYS Energy Czar Richard Kauffman, and PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman about this massive nuclear bailout and a series of important questions that we need the Administration to answer. Organizations and elected officials are welcome to sign.

Thousands of New Yorkers have submitted comments supporting the renewable energy goals and opposing the nuclear subsidies. We also submitted a letter to Governor Cuomo signed by over 110 organizations opposing the nuclear subsidies. But it hasn’t been enough to counter the nuclear industry’s pressure. On July 8th, a new version of the nuclear bailout proposal was released and it’s even worse than the original. The proposed subsidies for nuclear plants went up from $270 million to $7.6 billion and the state would lock in these subsidies for the next 12 years. The public has been given just 10 business days to comment – until Friday, July 22nd.

Still, the Public Service Commission has done almost no analysis to answer basic questions that New Yorkers have about this plan to give Exelon Corporation almost $8 billion of our money. To our knowledge, they have not studied alternatives or shown that this is really necessary. Our sign-on letter addresses this issue and asks a series of pertinent questions.

 No public agency should fast-track an uncompetitive subsidy to one company like this – especially when so much is at stake. This plan would put twice the amount of money into nuclear bailouts as it would toward renewable energy. It’s a huge blow to our renewable energy future and to the ability of our residents, businesses, and municipalities to be able to afford electricity.

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Mural Design Contest Draws 65+ Submissions

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The Dept. of Public Art (DPA) received more than 65 submissions to its design contest for a mural slated for the rear of the Binghamton Plaza along the Chenango River Trail, which is also the site of this year's Mural Fest 2016 at Cheri Lindsey Park. "We were very impressed with the quality of the submissions and the enthusiasm of the artists for Binghamton's future," said Mark Bowers. "The review committee found it challenging to choose 8 designs to send to the City for final approval." All submissions were anonymous to the committee. This wall is visible from across the Chenango River which makes it part of the Binghamton Gateway.  The contest, which carries a $1000 prize, 75% of which was donated by the Mayor's Office, attracted some national but mostly local artists.

            "We are grateful to Michael Galesi and Galesi Development, owner of the Binghamton Plaza property, for his forward thinking in allowing us to paint a mural on this building," commented Mark Bowers, one of the coordinators for Mural Fest 2016. Mr. Galesi, as well as the newly formed Public Arts Advisory Board and Mayor Rich David will have input on the final design.

            Mural Fest 2016 co-sponsored by DPA and re-BOLD Binghamton is slated for September 17th, and will be held along the Chenango River Trail at Cheri Lindsey Park. The pool house at the Park will also be painted on that day. There will also be art activities for children and adults. Last year's Mural Fest created more than 30 mural panels which were subsequently placed on boarded up buildings in Binghamton, a program which continues.

            Both this and last year's Mural Fest were funded in part by the Chenango Co Arts Council (NYS Decentralization grant) with help from the Hoyt Foundation, as well as by the Broome County Tourism fund and other funding sources. Additional fundraising will be needed for supplies and actual painting of the mural. View all 8 finalists on the Dept. of Public Art Facebook page. (Note all are anonymous until the judging is final

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Public Artists Nominated for Heart of the Arts!

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BC Arts Council announces Heart of the Arts Winners on August 10th

Every other year the Arts Council members vote on nominations for the Heart of the Arts award for extraordinary accomplishments in the previous two years. This year, Peg Johnston of the Dept of Public Art, Cooperative Gallery, and the Bridge has been nominated, as well as Emily Jablon, who has created several mosaic public art installations.

Johnston is nominated for "making blight the inspiration for art" for the original murals affixed to boarded up buildings in Binghamton, for managing the "Birthplace of Virtual Reality" murals in the Water St. Parking Ramp, and for "sparking" an arts renaissance and transforming a derelict block into "State of the Art St." And for coordinating 50 volunteers for Mural Fest 2015.

Jablon is nominated for creating the ""Confluence Arts Project" installing mosaics, and for engaging at risk and underserved populations and people with disabilities in artistic activities.

Other nominees are Susan Ashbaker Director of the Tri Cities Opera for leading the organization from financial and organizational challenges, and for introducing "opera writ large";  Harold and Toby Jean Manker, Program Directors of the Phelps Mansion Museum for chartering the Phelps as a "house museum" and initiating musical events; Alvin Williams III of Classical Pianists of the Future for "Helping young talented classical pianists follow their dreams."

Voting is open to members of the Arts Council until July 29th. Membership is $35/year.

The Broome County Arts Council will announce winners of its 2016 Heart of the Arts and Lifetime Achievement Awards during a news conference at 10am,  Wednesday, August 10th at the at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel’s Sun Briar Court in downtown Binghamton
 
Awards will be presented Monday September 19th at the 11th Heart of the Arts Award Celebration, DoubleTree Hotel Grand Ballroom, downtown Binghamton.  Tickets are $55 for general admission and $50 for arts council members. For more information  
e-mail information@broomearts.org or call 607-723-4620.
 

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River Sculptures Appear

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Stone Sculpture by Don Sharpe on Susquehanna River Don Sharpe has created some stone sculptures (stacking stones, no glue or cement) on the Susquehanna River by the dam and across from the Park Diner.  They are temporal pieces—weather or people can topple them, and in fact the sudden storm did knock down one of the

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SCOTUS stands up for Abortion Access in Texas and Elsewhere

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Photo: Amy Hagstrom Miller, center (in white) and other providers.

6/27/16       Supreme Court strikes down Texas measures as unconstitutional, allowing all Texas clinics currently open to stay open and paving the way for more clinics to open/reopen in the future, and establishes a strong legal standard that will protect women’s access to abortion in states beyond Texas. This landmark decision continues the powerful momentum for women’s rights and against political interference in our right to safe, legal abortion. People of all ages, races, religions, and backgrounds are putting politicians on notice—you cannot inject your beliefs into our personal decisions.

Said Amy Hagstrom-Miller president and CEO of Whole Woman’s Health and lead plaintiff in the case, “Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what we at Whole Woman’s Health have known all along—that every woman, no matter where she lives, deserves access to compassionate, respectful, and comprehensive care from a clinic she trusts. Today justice was served.”

Said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, "Today women across the nation have had their constitutional rights vindicated. The Supreme Court sent a loud and clear message that politicians cannot use deceptive means to shut down abortion clinics."
Hillary Clinton immediately praised the ruling. "SCOTUS's decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right—not just on paper, but in reality."

 

 

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Our Hearts are in Orlando: More Kissing in the Streets

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Formerly from Binghamton, Rev. Miller Hoffman responded to the Orlando killings of gay people in Huffington Post. She advocates more "kissing in the street."

In the month when so many of us celebrate liberation and pride, within a week of the anniversary of the massacre of our black siblings in a Charleston church, in a place where we gather – in a place we are known to congregate to soak ourselves in laughter and community and self-worth – and in the wake of terrific successes as the long arc of justice bends toward recognition of our humanity and equality and worth…

This attack joins the wave of violence against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people. It joins the Stonewall Inn and the Upstairs Lounge and others as an invasion of our recreational sanctuaries. Our trans sisters of color are being killed and their bodies abandoned in horrifying numbers. Legislative and policy attempts run riot to humiliate us from bathrooms to cake shops, to demonize and criminalize our love and our pride and our spirit – attempts not just to destroy our body but to also crush our soul, to not only devastate our souls but to obliterate our bodies. To silence us, and to erase us. To make us unspeakable, unhearable, unseen.

READ on HERE.

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NEW DPA Installation at KNOW Theatre

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Photo: DPA installs Three Panel on the fence in front of KNOW Theatre as well as on 5 boarded up windows.

Mark Bowers, DPA member and now a member of the KNOW Theatre, initiated an installation of mural panels to beautify and  draw attention to the theatre. Mural panels were painted last year by Bruce Greig and Kady Perry's BCC Mural ART Class. "This is a great melding of two art forms," said Bowers, "and a great use of these panels by many young artists."

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