News

May 15, 2008

SONYA and Community Murals Kick-Off the Mural Arts Fund During the SONYA Studio Stroll

The South Of the Navy Yard Artists (SONYA) has partnered with Community Murals to create the SONYA Mural Arts Fund. This fund will be used to create and implement murals and public art projects that support the youth and neighborhoods of Brooklyn. The initial goal is to raise $5,000 towards the completion of its first project and the development of future murals.

To kick off the fundraising efforts, Community Murals founder, Ellie Balk, will be displaying the mural plans and fundraising at the site of the Tillie’s Community Mural, on Vanderbilt Ave at DeKalb in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, during the SONYA Studio Stroll, Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, from noon to 6pm.

The public is also invited to make their tax-deductible donations by visiting SONYA’s website: http://www.sonyaonline.org/ and clicking on “donate”, then noting “Mural Arts Fund” under the special instructions, so that the funds can be allocated properly.

The Tillie’s Community Mural will feature a large 9’ circle map of the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill neighborhoods and will be painted on the outside wall of Tillie’s of Brooklyn on Vanderbilt Ave. at DeKalb Ave. Its creator, Ellie Balk, explains, “The goal for the Tillie’s Community Mural is to unify and bridge the varying aspects of the local community, giving all people a sense of connectedness. The mural will live at the pinnacle point where our neighborhoods meet. Tillie’s has become a home base for many Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill residents.”

The mural will be a neighborhood collaborative effort. Painting will begin on Friday, June 13, in an eerie night painting session. The painting will go on for a week, ending on Sunday, June 21, with a community painting day and dedication celebration. Volunteer painters are sought for this project. For more information contact Ellie Balk, elliebalk@gmail.com.

With fiscal sponsorship and support from SONYA, this mural has been funded through a grant from the Puffin Foundation and with generous support of the Society of Clinton Hill. It is also supported by: the Landmarks commission of NYC; the Community Board of Kings County; building owner Danny Browne; Tillie’s owners, Patricia Mulcahy and Amos Yogev; and many enthusiastic community members. Says SONYA’s president, Kathleen Hayek, “We are excited about the Tillie’s Community Mural and would very much like it to succeed and be the catalyst for many more mural projects within our community.”