The Clara Barton Mural
Dansville ArtWorks Inc.'s Mural Committee served as project manager for the installation of an historic mural on the south facing wall of 170 Main Street (Ossian Street side). The theme of the mural is Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross in Dansville. Its Chapter No. 1 House is just steps away from this building at the intersection of Ossian and Elizabeth Streets.
A LivCo First Impressions Village Edition grant authored by Dansville ArtWorks and awarded to the Village of Dansville drove this public art project. Additional support came from Jane Schryver, a Community Arts Grant from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, and Dansville ArtWorks' funds. Building owners Dr. Joe DePra and his son Joshua DePra fully committed to their responsibilities and were excellent partners in the project.
This is summer project began June 24, 2024 and was completed July 12, 2024.
Our lead muralist was Melissa Stratton-Pandina. She resides and makes her studio in Westborough, Massachusetts but has family in Dansville! Learn about her work at deshria.com or @deshriastudio on Instagram. Her assistant was Gabriela Sepulveda of Springfield, Massachusetts. Follow Gabby on Facebook or Instagram @theivorybunny.
The Community Paint Party was attended by more than 160 people ranging in age from 1 to 80. In excess of 500 square feet of the mural's lower section was painted in two hours.
An artist talk was held on Monday, July 8 at The Event Space at 170 Main. A full house of attendees ranging from 8-80 met our muralists and listened to their inspiration for our newest mural and learned about their careers! The Dansville Area Historical Society videoed the presentation made possible by their donor, David Smith. The video will be posted on DAHS's and ArtWorks' YouTube channels.
Finally, the mural dedication is scheduled for 10:30am, August 10, 2024 (Heritage Day/Second Saturday Dansville). This free event will be open to the public and followed by a reception hosted by Dansville ArtWorks at the Event Space at 170 Main. ArtWorks celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
The Dansville Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Clara Barton re-enactor Sheryl Faye on August 10 as well. She will offer two free performances: noon at Star Theatre and 3pm at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. "Clara" will make an appearance at the mural dedication as well!
Please tag us in your mural photos #dansvillemurals. Follow Dansville ArtWorks on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest mural and local art news!
The Mural Committee includes: Chair, Julee Acomb; Susan DeMuth; Salome Farraro; Jennifer Luce; Donna Nagle; Sonja Olbert; Lorri Welch. The Village is represented by trustee Mike Nagle.
Donations for future mural projects made be made to Dansville ArtWorks Inc., PO Box 741, Dansville NY 14437. Write MURAL in the memo line please.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of The Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.