Installation celebrates local art with nearly 600 square feet of murals on construction fencing
Southern Land Company (SLC), a national real estate developer of award-winning mixed-use developments and master-planned communities, has commissioned three original murals to participate in ArtsWestchester’s Serious Fun Arts Fest as part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts in the communities in which the company builds. The three artworks decorate the construction fencing at SLC’s upcoming luxury residential community, Juliette, located at 250 Mamaroneck Avenue.
The Serious Fun Arts Fest runs Oct. 12-16 and brings monumental works of art to the city’s streets, including 15 new public artworks, gallery openings, live demonstrations and more. As part of SLC’s contribution to the festival, murals from Tim Grajek, Oscar Lett, and Erwin Ong will grace the perimeter of Juliette’s construction site until further notice. Each mural measures 8’ x 24’, totaling 576 square feet of art to beautify the surrounding community.
SLC’s participation in the Serious Fun Arts Fest marks a continued investment into local art in partner communities via the growing trend of featuring murals in the unsuspecting location of construction fencing. In Philadelphia, SLC recently unveiled 11 murals at the Sansom Art Walk to comprise the largest single street art installation in the city.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Serious Fun Arts Fest and to join our new neighbors in White Plains in celebrating local art and culture,” said Tim Downey, founder and CEO of SLC. “In every new endeavor, we strive to uplift the community by supporting unique, local initiatives, and we hope these three murals bring joy and beauty to Mamaroneck Avenue while we work on bringing Juliette to life.”
Juliette, which broke ground in June, will contain 177 market-rate rental residences incorporating materials from the original YMCA structure that previously occupied the site as an homage to the building’s history. Residents will have several floor plans to choose from, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options complete with industry-leading amenities.
About the Murals
Isadora – Tim Grajek
- From the artist: My mural design is a tribute Isadora Duncan 1877—1927, American dancer who performed to great acclaim throughout Europe and the US. She was a modern dance pioneer, and among the first to raise interpretive dance to the status of creative art. Duncan was active in the Westchester area, teaching at the Clearview School, Briarcliff Manor, and Suny Purchase.
Harvest Moon in Purple Dreams – Oscar Lett
- From the artist: This design unites flora and fauna in surreal colours to create an eerie landscape. The blend of colours reflect on a sunset whilst a gold moon rises to set a soft yet uplifting mood. An impossible purple wall of plants on the left side and a bird on the right illustrate the idea of nature at large as expressed in the proposal desires. The yellow parts of the artwork are to be painted in gold for highlights. The geometry around the bird brings contrast and structure to the nature-oriented design. The line structure and gold accents are thought to accentuate the sophistication of the design whilst the colours take care of making it contemporary and relevant to the audiences of today.
Fish City – Erwin Ong
- From the artist: With this mural, I want to bring smiles and joy to the many people who move through the streets of downtown White Plains – whether by foot, wheelchair, bike, car, or another mode of transportation. I have adapted my underwater creatures – a theme I use consistently in my art – into a city setting. I have also incorporated fish-themed buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians as a nod to Mamaroneck Avenue as a vibrant artery for the city.
