Artful Intersections
I worked on Artful Intersection during my time with the City of Lancaster Office of Public Art. This collective artwork was neighborhood-generated through and through.
The Situation at Hand
The West Lancaster Jewels (WLJ), a neighborhood group in Lancaster’s Southwest End approached the Office of Public Art. They wanted to paint a street mural near their park and we saw an opportunity to use public art-making to connect neighbors and strengthen the neighborhood. From there, the neighbors led the way.
How I Helped
Creative Direction
Video by Silas Crewes. Photography by Paul Hunt & Silas Crewes
An artist in the neighborhood, Justin Jones, signed on to create the mural together with the community. WLJ created a committee for the project. Artist and Public Art Advisory Board member, Sophie Roman, guided the committee by attending committee meetings and providing advice, resources, and support.
First, the entire WLJ neighborhood group submitted concept ideas. They wanted the mural to represent the history and character of the place. Justin went to work creating sketches and the project committee presented them to the group at their next meeting. They voted for a concept that included imagery about a historic clock factory in their neighborhood. Once the concept was selected, we posted a sign by the park to show them the concept and invite everyone to help paint the mural together.
Under Sophie’s art direction, Justin and artists, Adam Serrano, Hunter Bank, and Eric Regester painted the image outlines and set up a giant paint-by-numbers for neighbors to fill in at their annual block party.
At the block party the artists helped neighbors with the painting process.
The community finished painting the mural minutes before a thunderstorm came through. The next day the artist crew worked to tighten the lines up. The project was a success. It provided an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other better and bonds grew between neighbors. Ultimately, the mural became a reflection of them and their community.
Nearly finished street mural by Justin Jones.