The Bridge

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BCAC Awards Dept of Public Art a Grant

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BCAC ANNOUNCES OVER $261K FOR 2022 UNITED CULTURAL FUND (UCF) RECIPIENTS

The Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) announced $261,059.00 in 2022 United Cultural Funds (UCF) to 21 local artists, arts organizations and community non-profits – a substantial increase from the number of awards granted in 2021. Applicant statistics in Broome County reflect a nationwide picture: a greater number of medium and large arts organizations sought deeper levels of grant support to counteract loss of revenue due to COVID lockdown in 2020. However, more individual artists and small arts organizations seemed to demonstrate a renewed faith in the recovery of the Arts by launching fresh, new programs. “Altogether, this paints a very positive picture of creativity and economic recovery through the Arts in Broome County,” says Deb Colón, BCAC Board Chair. In the next several months, look for virtual writing workshops, events, and publishing opportunities, a production of the musical The Bridges of Madison County, a Haudenosaunee Festival, a ceremony and celebration for Twelfth Night, an urban farm mural, and much more.

2022 UCF General Operations awards were granted to Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Bundy Museum of History and Art, Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, Endicott Performing Arts Center, Goodwill Theatre & Firehouse Stage, LUMA, Roberson Museum and Science Center, and Tri-Cities Opera. 2022 UCF Project awards support the work of thirteen individual artists and smaller, community arts projects with Grants of $1000 each. 2022 UCF Project recipients included the following: The Dept of Public Art c/o The Center for Gender, Art, & Culture, the Kopernik Society of Broome County, the Vestal Museum & Coal House, Binghamton Community Orchestra, Binghamton Downtown Singers, The Binghamton Poetry Project, Binghamton Theater Organ Society, Cornell Cooperative Extension, First Presbyterian Church, Jenna McIntosh,The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton, The Nanticoke Valley Historical Society of Maine, NY, and SRO Productions. Additionally, Broome County Arts Council received 15% of UCF Campaign totals, reserved for BCAC’s general operations & programming.

DPA will paint a mural on a shipping container at the VINES Urban Farm on Tudor St. just off Susquehanna St. That area has a number of privately funded murals on residential and commercial buildings. In 2021, DPA received a grant to promote the Broome Co Public Art Directory which included a live event of painting utility boxes in Johnson City.

Major donors whose charitable gifts helped make UCF grants possible include: the Stewart W. & Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Broome County Government, the Dr. G. Clifford & Florence B. Decker Foundation, the Miller S. & Adelaide S. Gaffney Foundation, IBM, Eugene & Judith Peckham, Columbian Financial Group, NBT Bank, Mediabrush Marketing, Sentry Alarms, Chianis & Anderson Architects, Dr. Pamela Smart, Visions Federal Credit Union, and other local businesses and individuals who believe in the value of arts investment.

Since 1987, the Broome County Arts Council’s United Cultural Fund has distributed over $11 million to the Arts in Broome County, while serving over 100,000 residents. UCF grantees typically return $3-$4 million dollars to Broome County’s economy, annually. The economic impact of revenue loss due to COVID has been hard-felt in the Arts community since March of 2020, but with an 18 month recovery period predicted (AFTA, 2020), United Cultural Campaign funding continues to be especially critical to the health and vitality of our County. As ever, we are grateful for the generosity of all who supported the recovery and sustainability of the Arts in Broome County with their donations.

Dinosaur Mural in Residence at Johnson City Factory

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Members of the Dept. of Public Art installed a mural on the factory at 19 Avenue B in Johnson City. Master Muralist Bruce Greig created a mural in panels that gives the illusion that a dinosaur is inside the factory looking out. “It’s a playful mural that brings new life to this factory,” according to Peg Johnston of the DPA.

Johnson City has recently announced the first phase of a renovation to save the building. “This mural brings attention to the possibilities for this building and the development possibilities for Johnson City,” said Johnston.

For more photos see our facebook page at Dept of Public Art and listen to story on Radio Bundy 99.5 FM. The Dept of Public Art has created many murals in the Floral Ave. Park to the delight of the children and families who use the Park.

For more information see www.deptofpublicart.com, on Facebook or contact us at deptofpublicart@gmail.com.

ARTISTS!!! Be Part of LUMA Projection Festival!

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At this year’s LUMA Festival, September 7-9, 2018, local artists will have the opportunity to see their images projected on a downtown building. LUMA will project 30 images generated by artists using a template or outline of a building. “We want LUMA to be a celebration of the Arts in Binghamton and a chance to showcase artists, including those that work in more traditional media like painting and drawing,” said Joshua Bernard, co-founder of LUMA Festival. The process is called “Mural Mapping” or a “Still Projection.”

Interested artists will receive a template of the building at 196 State St. (Atomic Tom’s) Binghamton on canvas, paper, or in a digital format. They can paint, draw, color, or collage on the template. “Images should tell a story using the building,” according to Peg Johnston of the Dept. of Public Art and the Cooperative Gallery, co-sponsors of this project. Using registration marks on the template, the LUMA team will be able to exactly size each image to appear on the building. Each submission must be accompanied by an entry fee of $15 to cover material costs, as well as name, address, email, phone, image title, and price. Thirty images will be selected for projection and for an exhibit at the Cooperative Gallery 213 opening on First Friday in September. Original images may be offered for sale with the usual 20% gallery commission. LUMA will have the digital rights to images for the 2018 Festival and for promotional purposes; the artist retains all rights to original works, reproductions, and digital images after LUMA.

Templates will be available July 26th and the deadline for receipt of final art work will be August 24-25h. To reserve a canvas template, email deptofpublicart@gmail.com.

Entries will be accepted at the Cooperative Gallery 213 State St. on Sat. August 11th from 12-4 and Friday, August 24 3-6 pm and Sat August 25th at 12-4 pm and payment (cash, check or credit) will be accepted at that time. For digital copy or further information contact DeptofPublicArt@gmail.com.

5th Mural Fest Returns to Floral Ave.

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The Department of Public Art (DPA) will sponsor the 5th Mural Fest at Floral Ave. Park in Johnson City on Saturday May 5th from 11am – 4 pm. The Village of Johnson City has welcomed us back to continue to improve the park. “Mural Fest offers everyone a chance to paint—murals for adults and a Box City for children,” according to Peg Johnston of DPA. Organizers also plan to give away art supplies to neighborhood children in conjunction with a grant from the Chenango Co. Arts Council and with the help of The Bridge and Family Enrichment Network.

Mural Fest 2018 participants will work on four projects—improving the inside of the bathrooms, painting the outside of a shed, a mural on panels for the Renaissance Festival at Cutler Garden, and a Dinosaur mural for a factory on Avenue B in Johnson City.

Mural Fest participants will be entertained by a full roster of live music. At 11am Diana Tejera, an Italian singer-songwriter with a gold record will perform. Local band Voodoo Highway (blues-rock and more) starts at 12:15 pm. Adam Ate The Apple playing roots, folk, and rock play at 1:30 pm. Hot Dogs & Gin featuring Eamonn Hubert, a child prodigy guitarist play classic rock at 2:45 pm.

The Dept. of Public Art has created a “Box City” of upcycled cardboard several times so that children can paint and play in them, and take them home. DPA artists will also create cardboard animals for children to paint and keep. Volunteers will prep the cardboard houses April 17th and 24th from 6-8 pm at Avenue DIY, 19 Avenue D in Johnson City.

The Dept of Public Art is a volunteer group responsible for more than 50 murals in the area. The first two Mural Fests were on the MLK Promenade where 30 artists created temporary murals for blighted buildings and then the DPA sponsored Mural Fest on the Northside at Cheri Lindsey Park. In 2017 Mural Fest moved to Floral Ave. Park in Johnson City where four permanent murals were finished.

Mural Fest has received support from Chenango Co Arts Council (DEC NYS Council on the Arts) and the Hoyt Foundation, Town of Union Community Development, Golden Paints, Belknap Lumber, Kovarik’s Hardware, Daniel’s Paints, and other sponsors. Tabling by local groups is free. For more information or to volunteer email DeptofPublicArt@gmail.com or the Dept. of Public Art Facebook Page. See attachment for a DPA Wish List.

 

Mural Fest Prep: Help Wanted

Mural Fest is May 5th– a short time away!  We have two Prep dates April 17th and April 24th when we will prime plywood panels, create cardboard houses for kids to paint, cardboard animals, outlining murals.  Other help needed is leafletting the neighborhood about Mural FEst and about an Art Supply Giveaway for Kids, on the weekend prior to May 5th. We also need to prime the walls at the site.

For more information on creating cardboard houses and animals, download the pdf below.

The Dept of Public Art is also looking for volunteers to staff Mural Fest to paint murals, to help children paint the Box City, and to staff paint stations etc. Set up at 9:30 am to 11 am; 11- 1:30pm; 1:30 pm to 4 pm and cleanup 4-5 pm. Email DeptofPublicArt@gmail.com if you can help.

DPA also has a wish list. If you have any of these to donate, we would appreciate your contributions. And of course, direct tax deductible donations via our DONATE button on binghmatonbridge.org or by sending a check to CGAC with Mural Fest in the memo and send to CGAC/DPA 213 State St. #1 Binghamton NY 13901.

DPA Mural Fest Wish List

Takeout containers with lids for paint

Small containers for paint with or without lids

Utility knives or spare blades

Paint brushes, especially 4 inch, 2 ½ inch and 1 ½ inch chisel brushes.

A gallon of exterior latex satin or gloss paint  or masonry primer (ask about colors)

Tempera/watercolor paints for children

Blank t-shirts all sizes, any colors.

Snacks to give away to volunteers and children at Mural Fest (baked goods and snacks, fruit, etc)

 

Floral Park Public Art Dedication

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–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.

 

Free Mural Workshop Oct. 1-7

The Department of Public Art (DPA) will sponsor the 4th Mural Fest at Floral Ave. Park in Johnson City on Saturday October 7th from 11-4 pm. The Village of Johnson City has given permission to paint murals on several structures at Floral Ave. Park and there will be several activities for children and adults. "Leaving behind permanent murals is important," said Peg Johnston of DPA, "and just as important is engaging people in the process of creating art in public places.”

This year Mural Fest will offer even more community engagement with art, guided by local artists. This year DPA will sponsor a mural workshop starting Sunday Oct. 1st and continuing through Mural Fest Oct. 7th for community members. The workshop will show participants how to plan a mural, including gridding the design, prepping the space, and then painting it throughout the week and finishing 5 murals at Mural Fest. Another workshop will teach people how to use camera phones to document community events, also starting on Oct. 1st.

All Workshops are free. RSVP to register your interest to DeptofPublicArt@gmail.com.

Mural Fest and Mural Workshops

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DOWNLOAD OUR WISH LIST BELOW

The Department of Public Art (DPA) will sponsor the 4th Mural Fest at Floral Ave. Park in Johnson City on Saturday October 7th from 11-4 pm. The Village of Johnson City has given permission to paint murals on several structures at Floral Ave. Park and there will be several activities for children and adults. "Leaving behind permanent murals is important," said Peg Johnston of DPA, "and just as important is engaging people in the process of creating art in public places.”

Live painting of murals is an important feature of Mural Fest and this year master muralist Susan Champeny will teach mural planning and painting Oct. 1st from 12-4 pm. Champeny is a professional muralist and creates murals, mosaics, and sculptures from recycled materials. She completed a 3 sided mural called “Goin’ Fishing” on Jarvis St. in Binghamton in 2015, as well as a mural on cloth at Mural Fest 2016. Susan will be painting two murals at Floral Ave. Park this year and will teach people who want to paint with her all week long (times TBA). Bruce Grieg, a New Zealand artist who lives and paints in this area, will paint one side of the handball court. He is responsible for many of the local murals including Mohammed Ali and several murals in the Water St. Parking Ramp. The other half of the handball court will be painted by Judy Salton, local artist at the Cooperative Gallery, with an abstract theme. Both designs will attract selfies with their novel perspectives. Shawna Stevenson, an illustration major at Syracuse University, has designed a Flower Mural that she is painting with the help of BOCES Students.

This year Mural Fest will offer even more community engagement with art, guided by local artists. This year DPA will sponsor a mural workshop starting Sunday Oct. 1st and continuing through Mural Fest Oct. 7th for community members. The workshop will show participants how to plan a mural, including gridding the design, prepping the space, and then painting it throughout the week and finishing 5 murals at Mural Fest. Another workshop, led by Stephen Schweitzer will teach people how to use camera phones to document community events, also starting on Oct. 1st, 12-4. Children will have an entire Box City to paint and decorate as well as cardboard animals, and mask making for small children to paint and play with. All workshops are free.

Similarly, DPA is partnering with Southern Tier Solar Works to create solar lanterns for neighbors: At Mural Fest children and adults can build their own solar lantern.

To VOLUNTEER to paint or to help with children's activities sign in here.

Mural Fest has received support from Chenango Co Arts Council (DEC NYS Council on the Arts) and the Hoyt Foundation, Broome County Tourism Grant, Town of Union Community Development, Golden Paints, PPG Paints, Daniel’s Paints, and other sponsors as well as a Go Fund Me fundraising campaign (www.gofundme.com/MuralFest2017)  .

 

 

 

 

 

Cardboard Upcycling Workshop AND Screen Printing

The Department of Public Art (DPA) will sponsor two workshops on Sat. Sept 16th from 12-4 at the Bridge Community Center 143 Baldwin St. in JC. The workshops are in preparation for the Oct. 7th Mural Fest at Floral Ave. Park in JC. In addition to painting murals, children will have an entire Box City to paint and play in. The workshop will design the cardboard playhouses, cardboard animals and mask making for small children to paint and take home. This workshop is for adults and older teens to create the structures that will be painted at Mural Fest.

At the same time and place Andrew Smith will demonstrate and teach the basics of screen printing. The class will screen Mural Fest T-shirts as part of the workshop.  All workshops are free. Participants are asked to RSVP by emailing deptofpublicart@gmail.com.

Free Mural Arts and Documentary Photography Workshop Oct. 1

This year DPA will sponsor a mural workshop starting Sunday Oct. 1st and continuing through Mural Fest Oct. 7th for community members. The workshop will show participants how to plan a mural, including gridding the design, prepping the space, and then painting it throughout the week and finishing 5 murals at Mural Fest. Another workshop will teach people how to use camera phones to document community events, also starting on Oct. 1st.

The Department of Public Art (DPA) and re-BOLD, a BU student group, will sponsor the 4th Mural Fest at Floral Ave. Park in Johnson City on Saturday October 7th from 11-4 pm. The Village of Johnson City has given permission to paint murals on several structures at Floral Ave. Park and there will be several activities for children and adults. "Leaving behind permanent murals is important," said Peg Johnston of DPA, "and just as important is engaging people in the process of creating art in public places.”

Similarly, DPA is partnering with Southern Tier Solar Works to create solar lanterns for neighbors: At Mural Fest children and adults can build their own solar lantern.

Mural Fest has received support from Chenango Co Arts Council (DEC NYS Council on the Arts) and the Hoyt Foundation, Broome County Tourism Grant, Town of Union Community Development, Golden Paints, Daniel’s Paints, and other sponsors as well as a Go Fund Me fundraising campaign.

DPA Mural Fest meeting

There will be a meeting to plan Mural Fest and upcoming arts workshops on Sunday August 6th at noon at the Cooperative Gallery 213 State St. Binghamton. Info: deptofpublicart@gmail.com

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