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The Rockwell Museum of Western Art, in partnership with The High School Learning Center (HSLC) of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District, began painting a mural on the alley façade of "Connor's Mercantile" on September 7, 2010. The mural was complete by late fall 2010. This began the Alley Art Project.
The High School Learning Center of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District (C-PP HSLC), in partnership with the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, proposed an "Alley Art Project" to the City of Corning in early 2009. After careful deliberation, The Museum, HSLC, the City of Corning, Corning's Gaffer District and Market Street Restoration offices all worked together to move this project forward. Beginning in August of 2009, High School Learning Center students began designs for what became the "Tree of Life" mural painting. The Project began with a mural drawn by C-PP HSLC 1+ year students, inspired by Native American symbolism and American Western art found in the Rockwell Museum of Western Art's permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Barry Nicholson, owner of Connors Mercantile, generously offered the alley side of his business as a canvas for the students to create the first mural.Corning Enterprises of Corning Incorporated agreed to have the alley facade of the Corning Revere Store serve as the canvas for the second mural, "Mountain as Metaphor." This Mural is now complete and is located at 113 Pine Street, located directly behind the Rockwell Museum.
Rockwell Museum of Western Art and C-PP HSLC are working with the Gaffer District to develop a long-term plan for the expansion of this program over several years, and alley façade buildings.
Under the direction of the Museum's Education Department and HSLC staff, the Alley Art Project builds on a nine year partnership between the Museum and the HSLC. Students fulfill their mandatory Art and ELA credits at the Museum as they create works for public presentation and exhibit at the Museum.
"The Rockwell Museum of Western Art has served as a place of service through our support of the arts for more than 30 years. With the mural project, the Museum has the opportunity to work with area students and teachers to create a unique piece of public art for the community to enjoy. This initiative represents many things -- tradition, education, artistry and community service - and is a great example of collaboration and partnership," says Kristin A. Swain, Executive Director at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.
The Alley Art Project supports students in learning about art, aesthetics, and the research associated with the process of art making - all the while cultivating a sense of pride, ownership, and connection to the community. Students hone planning skills as they engage in communication with building owners, and several professional offices. Total, the HSLC students devote their time to 12, three hour art making sessions and 400 in-kind volunteer community service hours throughout the duration of one mural.
The Alley Art Project is made possible by the support of The Triangle Fund, The TI-GER Foundation, Great Circle Foundation, Inch. and Christ Episcopal Church Missions Committee.
"Collaborative and group art activities can promote communication, common understanding and social skills. Through collaborative artistic projects, individual and group communication can be promoted and a structure for building ‘community' emerges," says Gigi Alvaré, Director of Education at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Alvaré will serve as artistic director/teaching artist to the project.
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