Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

MARBLEOUS PUBLIC ART

July 13, 2008

An interesting chain of events led to my wanting to write an article concerning Public Art. Even before a lady recently asked me if the Village has a budget line for Public Art, other happenings made the subject timely. Oddly enough, when asked the budget question, I was holding a carved and painted wooden sign that for over twenty years had hung on Lincoln Avenue. The sign was removed during the recent work at the corner of Sylvan Avenue because it needed some attention, mainly new paint and a scrubbing. So it was good karma that I ran into Joanne Cannale that day. Ms. Cannale was fresh off restoring a mosaic featured at the Town Girl Scout cabin off Highland Avenue. She willingly scooped up our wooden sign and set to work. Local resident, Mr. John Pidvirny, created this sign depicting a Native American. One side welcomes drivers and pedestrians to Tuckahoe, and the other bids them farewell.

The sign and work on Sylvan Avenue are part of bigger installation occurring all around our Village. Summit and Sylvan Avenues are now complete and Main Street is underway. At the Department of Public Works we recently hired a mason. The Village Board’s intention was to stop sub-contracting certain projects and save the Village money. Fittingly, this mason is named Art. I mention all of this now because in addition to that work Art Macchia, with assistance from Jimmy Elliott, are currently working on an "art project" throughout the village. Not too long ago the Seminara Family graciously donated all the Tuckahoe marble recovered from the demolition of Lorenzo and Carmine Gizzo’s family home on Fisher Avenue. Former Trustee Ernie Zocchi and town resident Ms. Loretta Dalton were vocal that Tuckahoe should legislate to retain this natural resource and save it from the landfills. They felt as I do, that the historical significance of this stone from torn down buildings could enhance our community. The stone masonry work currently occurring around our Village is using that very marble to address spots that for too long have gone neglected. This work is truly an art installation in its own right with historical value to our Village.

Tuckahoe has other "Public Art" aside from our new marble installation; however, I cannot recall any that is Village sponsored. For instance, Metro North placed cast bronze sculptures on our two train stations titled "The Finder" and "The Seekers "(1990) by Arthur Gonzales. Another good example is Kristin Gallo’s "Dart" sculpture that graces her family’s Underhill Street lawn.

Equally as interesting Tuckahoe also has a guerrilla artist. I use the term "guerrilla art" here for clarification but some would simply call it vandalism. Still others call it "street art", since it is developed for public spaces and of illicit nature as opposed to a government-sponsored initiative. This method consists of works being illegally attached to private property. The technique, usually reserved for urban settings, seems to have made its way to our little village. The greater sociological implications of this phenomenon I won’t go into now. While much of this work revolves around social activism, others simply use public space to broaden their audience. Tuckahoe’s guerrilla artist started painting pieces of wood and other materials and affixing them to places around the village. Amusingly, the work was soon taken by residents for their own eclectic collections. A newer, glued example can be seen on the service entrance of Epstein’s near the Post Office.

Some believe Public Art enhances economic development, creates a sense of place and fosters civic pride. It is reported that large works like NYC’s "The Gates" and "The Waterfalls" draw visitors who additionally shop and eat, although I am not sure how this is actually calculated. The Westchester Arts Council estimates that Westchester County has more than 100 pieces of Public Art and is always looking at how to encourage the placement of more in the landscape. Current economic sensibility leaves no room for luxury items such as art in our budget. However, we certainly have space, which can be the Village contribution to this endeavor while seeking funding from corporate or private sources. Our Village could be home to pieces placed in parks, plazas or around buildings. I realize that with the placement of Public Art inevitably comes the debate or controversy of content. I say to any local artists or local benefactors wishing to begin a program: feel free to email my office.

PS: To Tuckahoe Guerrilla Art person . . . gluing art to property other than your own, is unlawful. Perhaps you should save your work for an installation in the Village that you can proudly sign.