Plattsburgh Art Project Creates Community
While walking through Plattsburgh, New York, you will see that the small but busy city is lit up by brightly colored murals. These paintings on the outside of restaurants, office buildings and other businesses bring local awareness to art from around the world. They also make Plattsburgh a special place to live and visit.
Outside Art: The Plattsburgh Art Project began in 2016. Julia Devine, co-founder of the project with Amy Guglielmo, grew up in Chicago and took inspiration from that city’s murals and brought it to her home in Plattsburgh. Guglielmo, a Plattsburgh-based artist and children’s book writer, also shared a love for murals, art and community. So the two women launched the project that’s making an impact.
“The first official Outside Art project was the Battle of Plattsburgh mural,” said Guglielmo. It is located on the side of Chapter One Coffee & Tea in downtown Plattsburgh. The mural, which depicts a famous moment in North Country history, was painted by SUNY Plattsburgh graduate Shawna Armstrong.
Outside Art was then awarded a grant that allowed them to create the mural Woods and Wild Things on the side of the Corner Stone Bookstore on Margaret Street. This mural was also connected to SUNY Plattsburgh, as it was painted by two of the university’s art professors, Tory and Norman Taber.
Through time, with more funding and interest from artists, the organization has continued to grow. Outside Art has created more than 20 murals and is working to add more.
While most of the murals appear in high foot-traffic locations, some, such as the Harvest mural, located at the North Country Food Co-Op on Bridge Street and created by Gharan Burton, are harder to find. The Set Sail mural, created by Jodi and Todd Brunner at Dock Street, is near the Plattsburgh Boat Basin marina.
Devine and Guglielmo said local business owners have been supportive about locations for murals and the two often hear that the Outside Art project brings joy to the community. The murals also remind locals of their city’s past since many depict Plattsburgh’s history and growth.
The Outside Art project has also helped make Plattsburgh a safe space to express creativity. There’s now a Lake City Arts Fest that happens in August. “College kids and tourists find it charming and want to stay,” said Devine. “It has helped economically.”
Since the project’s beginning there has only been one act of graffiti, and it was on the Jean Arthur mural. Located on the corner of Brinkerhoff Street, the mural, by Brendon Palmer-Angell, depicts Broadway actress and movie star Jean Arthur, who was born in Plattsburgh.
Through Outside Art, Devine and Guglielmo support artists and open the door for creativity. They do not impose creative control over the artists or the murals, but set them up with an idea and location. Most of the projects cost between $5,000 and $30,000 and the artists are paid for their contribution. All subject matter is carefully considered and strays away from anything political or controversial. Most highlight nature, positivity and community.
A recently completed 140-foot-long You Matter mural was created by Giovanina Bucci with help from Guglielmo and Outside Art intern Abbie Duquette on Warren Tire Service Center’s back wall on Broad Street. For this project, Outside Art partnered with Clinton County Coalition to Prevent Suicide to remind kids that the community is here to help them through difficult times. It is also a reminder to be kind to everyone.
Outside Art has helped make Plattsburgh a special destination. “This is two friends that started something and it has grown beyond what we expected,” said Devine.
Story by Abigail Passafiume
Photos Provided by Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo
