Paint the Stream!
A Youth Watershed Mural Project

Michelle Spark and Christie Scheele, two local artists living in the Town of Shandaken led a Youth Watershed Mural Project sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County August 6-11, 2007. The murals are a series of paintings on stream shaped panels installed throughout the town of Phoenicia. They depict the unique beauty of life in the Esopus Creek Watershed and provide a public arts component of the Education and Outreach Program of the Upper Esopus Creek Management Plan.

This summer project included a group of 11 youths aged 9-13 from the hamlets in the upper Esopus Creek Watershed. The project ran for one week from 10:00am - 3:00 pm to allow for consensus planning of the mural. The week included naturalist programs, observation of stream life, sketching, painting techniques and use of nature photos, which stimulated development of coherent images. Two teens also were hired to assist facilitators with the group. At the conclusion of the week, panels were mounted on buildings of businesses on Main Street, in Phoenicia. An Art Walk Tour and Opening planned by the families and friends of the young artists, celebrated the installation of the eighteen murals.

Cooperative Extension provided support through assistance with project organizing, recruiting youth, team facilitation, and stream science education to participating youth. Grant funds for project materials were granted through the Catskill Watershed Corporation. Grant funds for facilitators, assistants, and advertising were provided by Kids in the Katskills Foundation, Phoenicia Rotary, Ulster Savings Bank and the Neil Grant Foundation. Golden Artist Colors, Inc. donated paint from their Seconds and Donation Programs.

The material used for the panels is DiBond, made by Alcan Composites USA. Preparing the panels included a light sanding and two coats of gesso. A final MSA Varnish coat was painted on to protect the panels from fading.