LEWISTON, N.Y. — Artpark's lower parking lot on South 4th Street in Lewiston has been transformed into a colorful work of art during the summer months.
It was a collaboration of the Artpark Bridges program with People Inc. and the Parkinson's Community and The Solo Roths — an artistic duo also known as Rob Lynch and Matthew SaGurney.
The Solo Roths started planning the project in the spring over Zoom calls, but the actual painting started in July and wrapped up two months later.
Normally, when The Solo Roths paint a mural, they'll do it in a weekend. It took SaGurney and Lynch two months to complete this macadam masterpiece, but SaGurney says they did have some help from friends, Artpark and volunteers from the Parkinson's Community.
"It presented really crazy challenges for us, but it was fun to figure it all out," SaGurney said. "There was a learning curve for sure you know the stuff we worked on in the beginning of the mural ended up changing and our styles changed as you go through the parking lot you can see and sense a little changing of those styles as we kept working."
The mural is meant to give voices to underserved members of our community.
The mural is not intended to be a permanent work because of weather and general wear, but the thought was to bring people and families together in an outdoor setting during the pandemic.
"The idea of bringing Artpark’s gateway parking lot into a work of art has been years in the making," said Sonia Clark, the executive director of Artpark.
PHOTOS: Public art in Niagara County
"Specific plans for this project as a community collaboration led by the Artpark Bridges program began last January with the concept of the project’s mission created by a special committee, which included Artpark staff, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area team and members of the Lewiston and New York State Parks community.
"What followed was months of a truly engaging process that became a relief from isolation for at-risk populations during the COVID pandemic throughout the summer for all involved."
Artpark officials also welcomed the general public to visit the parking lot and examine the 400-by-400 foot mural anytime, free-of-charge, during regular park hours.