Public art program brings art installations to downtown Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City
(Binghamton, NY) – Broome County kicks off Round I of the iDistricts Murals and Mosaics Public Art Program with a new large-scale mural installation in downtown Binghamton. Designed by Brooklyn-based artist, Damien Mitchell, the 70-feet wide by 15-feet high mural will cover a section of the east-facing wall of Berger’s Ski & Snowboard Shop, located at 16 Lewis Street. The mural creates a sense of adventure and inspires new experiences for people passing by. James Sherrick, owner of Berger’s Ski & Snowboard Shop says, “we are so excited to be working with Damien and the county on this project. The work so far is amazing.”
This mural is part of a larger program that will create a network of public art installations in the Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott iDistricts. Public art is a powerful community development tool that not only makes our public spaces more vibrant but can stimulate new connections to the community we live in. Artists were chosen by an independent panel of arts professionals in accordance with state guidelines for the project, and have been found through local, regional, national, and international partnerships.
Broome County Executive, Jason Garnar, stated, “Over the past few years, we’ve observed the overwhelmingly positive response to public art among community members and visitors. One of our goals is to create memorable spaces that attract people and encourage them to return. We are grateful to work with our partners to create one-of-a-kind public art installations that will undoubtedly make a positive contribution to our community for years to come.”
The iDistricts Murals and Mosaics Public Art Program is a collaborative effort of the Broome County Planning Department, the Broome County Arts Council, New York State, the City of Binghamton, the Village of Endicott, and the Village of Johnson City.
"Broome County Arts Council is excited to partner on a project which brings a diverse array of artists to Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott," says Shawna Stevenson, Director of Programs and Marketing.
Other project sponsors include Visions Federal Credit Union, Golden Artist Colors, Inc., Kobra Paint, The Colonial, Lost Dog Cafe, and Parlor City Vegan.
This mural expected to be completed by the end August, and additional public art installations funded through this round will continue into the fall. This mural is made possible with financial support provided through the New York State Upstate Revitalization Initiative and the Greater Binghamton Fund.
