Community Mosaic Project’s Next Stop: Boyle Center
Building on the success of last year’s projects, Community Mosaic Project (CMP) has confirmed plans for its next installation, happening June 24 – 26 at the Edward T. Boyle Center. The mosaic will be created on the building’s east brick wall, closest to the sidewalk on Dill Street. The artist is Amy Chamberlain, who created the design of the Angelo’s Pizza mosaic. The theme is historic downtown; the cityscape view will feature Genesee Street landmarks and businesses of the past where Boyle Center now stands.
Boyle Center residents submitted ideas for the design, and are very excited about the project. The installation will run concurrently with their outdoor bake and yard sale (June 24 -25). A lunchtime cookout for volunteers will add to the community feel and festivities.
Matching funding for the projects came from the Stardust Foundation of Central New York, with additional funds contributed by the site location. A Stardust block grant was awarded in May, for three mosaic projects to be completed this year. “We believe the mosaic projects are real community builders that not only create accessible public art, but also are a way of having the local community, with volunteers, no matter what their age, help create pieces, designed by local artists, that highlight the best of our community,” said Guy Cosentino, the Executive Director of the Stardust Foundation.
Last August, the Community Mosaic Project created the Angelo’s Pizza mosaic on East Genesee Street. Nearly fifty members of the community worked together to accomplish this, most with little artistic background or training. The project’s next stop late last September was a public space- Exchange Street Mall. Complimenting the recent redesign, the team mosaicked the concrete low walls with a scene of Owasco Lake at sunset, and a pair of colorful dragonflies at the entrance of Auburn Public Theater. This time nearly 100 volunteers participated from all ages and backgrounds. BluePrint II, Art Afterschool and Extended School Day programs, plus many other students and seniors came out to join the fun.
“The great thing about these mosaic projects is that they are being assembled by volunteers of all ages. People feel a sense of accomplishment they will savor for years, every time they see their mosaic,” said Project Manager Dave Tobin.
Material donations of colored tile and mirror are welcome, but volunteer help is needed and encouraged. No artistic experience is necessary. Help is welcome at any point during the Saturday – Sunday installation from 9AM – 5PM. Saturday activities will include breaking tiles, cutting mirror and gluing the mosaic pieces to the wall. Sunday involves mixing several colors of grout, and then filling in the spaces in between the pieces.
If interested in participating in the installation, residents can contact Project Managers Jesse Kline (jessekline31@msn.com) and Dave Tobin (dttobin@gmail.com). For more information “like” the Facebook page “Art for Auburn.” Or, just show up, it is a very informal group.
CMP works in fiscal partnership with Auburn Beautification Commission, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation dedicated to making the City of Auburn a more beautiful place to live. www.beautifulauburn.org
