There is a new face smiling at motorists and passers-by outside the Village of Brockport Department of Public Works building at 38 East Avenue.
That face belongs to a man depicted in a new historic Erie Canal Mural painted by local artist Stacey Kirby on the north wall of the DPW building. The mural was officially dedicated Saturday, October 19 during ceremonies on site.
Workers such as the one shown in the historic mural were busy 100 years ago at this time in Brockport on a huge project which expanded and reconstructed the Erie Canal into the Barge Canal. The work lasted from 1912 to 1916.
The mural scene depicts this project and includes a steam shovel owned by Cleveland and Sons – a company based in Brockport – which was hired to work on the expansion project and is shown excavating the north bank. Also depicted is a working mule team, the Main Street lift bridge and a portion of Main Street downtown. The view looks east from the north side of the canal just west of Main Street.
The lift bridges in use today were constructed 100 years ago during the reconstruction project.
The expansion was “one of the biggest public works projects in Brockport (history),” said Mayor Margay Blackman during the dedication.
She noted the mural is part of a growing collection of public art in the village and was completed at no expense to the taxpayer.
A decentralization grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester and matching funds from an art auction sponsored by the Art and Aesthetics Committee of Walk! Bike! Brockport! covered the costs, Blackman said.
Deputy Mayor Bill Andrews, who is also village historian emeritus, presented “A Moment of Brockport Canal History.” He said the mural helps to “celebrate the centennial of the reconstruction of the NY State Canal System,” as well as, “the survival of the canal as a result of the decisions made in 1900.”
Artist Stacey Kirby said she enjoyed working on the mural and explained it was painted on fabric in her studio and glued to outdoor panels before being sealed with a varnish. “It will not deteriorate,” she explained, “it’s prepared for any sort of weather.”
Earlier in the week, Kirby met with Brockport High School art classes and Hill School students to discuss her artistic process and professional practices associated with being a working mural artist.
High school students were able to speak with Kirby following the presentation to ask questions and see a panel from the mural up close.
The mural dedication also included music by Mark Ketchum and William Heyen reading his poem “Along This Water.”
10/27/13
