By Joanne Michielsen
A dedication ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 21, to celebrate the completion of the new “Holley Is Home” mural on the side of the Heath and Heath law offices at 66 Public Square. Artist Mary Jo Whitman, a 1995 Holley graduate who now lives in Batavia, designed and painted the artwork.
Holley mayor Mark Bower approached Whitman about painting a mural featuring local landmarks. She visited her hometown to photograph various landmarks and used printouts to help visualize how they could all come together.
The finished mural includes the old Holley High School and the block of Public Square storefronts, including Sam’s Diner, along the top, with the Salisbury Fountain, the gazebo by the canal, and the Holley Waterfalls in the lower portion. It took about six weeks to complete.
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) funded the project with a $7,500 grant that covered the total cost of materials, supplies, and artist fees.
Photo: Artist Mary Jo Whitman next to the new “Holly Is Home” mural. Photo from the Village of Holley on Facebook.
