Summer 2024
The Lewiston Mural Project
Lewiston, NY
Maureen completed an exciting mural project in Lewiston, New York during the summer of 2024. The mural spans four walls and depicts the natural beauty of Lewiston, the Niagara River, and the surrounding landscapes including orchards, vineyards, farmland, and wildlife. The “Lewiston Mural” is located at Academy Park in the village center.
Photos and updates from the mural’s development are available below, documenting the project from start to finish. We invite you to follow its development and witness the mural’s evolution firsthand!
A special thanks for artistic support from Ashley Warren Wesser, the partnership of Warren's Village Hardware and Mr. Bill Warren, Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and the support of the Village of Lewiston Department of Public Works.
The Lewiston Mural art project was funded by the Niagara River Greenway, Town of Lewiston, and the Lewiston Council of the Arts with support from the Village of Lewiston.
AUGUST 2024
Week 15: August 29th-September 3rd
Note from Maureen:
As summer in Lewiston comes to a close, the final elements have been completed on The Lewiston Mural at Academy Park. We are all excited to prepare to officially celebrate this large art project with our generous supporters and our community.
Final pieces were added to the building by Dan over this past week feature sets of birds on the North and South wall ‘peaks’ – helping to add movement and to unify the building base to the end peaks.
Week 14: August 22nd-August 28th
Note from Maureen:
This week I am sharing a current visual overview of the Lewiston Mural at Academy Park; the completed walls of the building as of this week.
Note: Dan Buttery will be adding final metal to some of the mural areas.
I’d like to express my thanks for your continued encouragement and support of this art project at Academy Park. We are so delighted that you are happy with the results of this unique mural project and of our collaboration.
Week 13: August 15th -August 21st
Note from Maureen:
Over the past week the final large sculptural piece was installed on the North Wall. The custom designed bench was put into place at the tree base by Dan. The crescent shaped bench has been powder coated in a vibrant blue hue and features ‘cut-out’ fish on the seat surface, mirroring the painted fish in the river (West and North walls). The large base of the bench has been personalized with ‘Academy Park’ in stainless steel inset (recessed) at the bench front facing Center Street. Dan – as usual – has done an outstanding job on the design and crafting of the North Wall’s Tree Bench!
The uniqueness of this large sculptural piece is an instant draw for park patrons and pedestrians – inviting each visitor to experience a special moment – and a chance to sit and begin to take in the vibe that is Lewiston!
FINAL ELEMENTS: The addition of (metal) fish and ‘river birds’ over the coming week(s) will complete the sculptural details on the Mural.
Again, I wish to echo remarks and comments I have received from various WNY artists who have seen the mural and understand the 2-D/3-D concept: ‘Never seen this done before’…. ‘This has to be a first for building murals blending the painted 2-D design with a 3-D sculptural component’……’ This hasn’t been done anywhere here in WNY before… only in Lewiston?!‘
We believe this is a first and we are very proud of our collaboration and the finished results. Please encourage friends, our local businesses, groups and visitors to get their photo op moment at The Lewiston Mural!
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!
Week 12: August 8th -August 14th
Note from Maureen:
In and around the busy Lewiston Art Festival weekend work continued on the East Wall “Welcome to Lewiston” design. Dan Buttery completed and installed the metal ‘postcard frame’ surrounding the painted welcome image. Dan’s metal was designed to work with the mural’s painted clouds, river and sunset- permitting the images to break out of the ‘postcard’ at intervals.
With the metal in place I went back and completed painting details on the ‘Welcome’ postcard design: drop shadow outside the frame perimeter, inner border surrounding the ‘postcard image’, sunset, sky and clouds.
We are awaiting the arrival of the (metal) tree Bench designed by Dan for the North Wall. This will be an exciting addition to the building and for visitors to the Park! Some additional metal elements will be added, and some painting details will be made after the bench’s installation around the base of the tree to complete our building mural project.
HOPEFULLY We will give you a final Mural update next week!
Week 11: August 1st -August 7th
Note from Maureen:
The Lewiston Mural progressed to final stage this past week!
EAST WALL: The background painting on the East Wall’s ‘Welcome to Lewiston’ design was completed. Dan is working on the ‘frame’ for the ‘Welcome’ postcard and should have that up over the next week. Then final (paint) touch ups on that wall finishes it.
FINAL PLANNED WORK:
“Tree Bench”: Dan is completing the bench for the North Wall Tree and hoping to schedule installation. “Birds and Fish”: Final sculptural elements being designed and fabricated for additions to mural (West Wall, North and South Walls). “Other”: Other (metal) sculptural elements to be confirmed and finalized.
August is off to a wonderful start in Lewiston – and we are so pleased to be in the final stage of this huge art project for our community!
JULY 2024
Week 10: July 25th-July 31st
Note from Maureen:
EAST WALL: The East Wall “Welcome to Lewiston” is coming together. The “Welcome to” (black metal) was added this past week. Dan (Buttery) is creating and installing the metal onto the ‘Lewiston Postcard’ and I am preparing to go back to the wall over the next few days to complete the paint (background). The (metal) frame surrounding the ‘Postcard’ format will go in last.
NORTH WALL: The tree bench is being powder coated and will be installed at the base of the North Wall’s ‘TREE’ as soon as that step is complete.
Final finishing touches: Dan and I are regrouping this week to finalize the extra touches (paint and metal) on the building that we want to complete. Looking forward to reaching the ‘FINISH LINE’!
Week 9: July 18th-July 24th
Note from Maureen:
Progress on the sculptural elements this past week as Dan Buttery installed the “LEWISTON” to the East Wall. The East Wall’s ‘Welcome to Lewiston’ postcard design is literally taking shape. I have received some outstanding compliments on the building’s mural from many Western New York artists. Perhaps the most interesting being that the consensus is that ‘no one has ever done a building mural combining sculptural elements with the painted wall design’. Lewiston has captured the attention of many with this unique mural at the east gateway to the Village!
This past week Academy Park’s building was opened to the public and the 9th street bike trail completed! Wonderful achievements to the efforts to make our park better than ever!
The South Walls Brock’s Monument and detailing on the bridge and bicycle were completed (July 23).
EAST WALL: The metal ‘postcard frame’ and ‘Welcome to’ greeting will create a transition to the dimensions of the lettering (‘LEWISTON’). The dramatic metal sculptural elements will compliment the dramatic metal ‘Tree Bench’ on the North Wall side of the building – balancing the entire mural’s 2-D painted surfaces and its 3-D sculptural dimensional components.
NORTH WALL: The North Wall’s 9′ metal tree, with hand hammered leaves, awaits the bench designed for the bottom of the tree. The finished bench will feature a seat-top with fish, and a front panel that will include the ‘Academy Park’ name.
Week 8: July 11th-July 17th
Note from Maureen:
The Lewiston Mural at Academy Park has entered the final stage as Dan Buttery (BlackLabMetalFab) continues to produce and install the metal elements to the East Wall.
During the past week more painting detail was wrapped up and the ‘LEWISTON’ metal letters for the East ‘Welcome to Lewiston’ Wall were begin finalized. The East Wall is a ‘Welcome to Lewiston’ theme with a ‘postcard’ format continuing the river and sky from the South Wall mural across this high profile wall and around to the North Wall. When completed this wall should be a popular photo op for visitors and locals.
Dan created the initial ‘face’ of each of the letters designed and installed the ‘mounts’ into the wall. All of the letters were then taken back to the Black Lab Metal Fab shop for the sides to be welded on creating the final dimensional ‘word’ for the East Wall design.
As the ‘LEWISTON’ (word) is installed this week, final painted details will be added to complete the postcard effect. The ‘Postcard’ frame (perimeter) and the greeting – ‘Welcome to’ – will be added in metal to carry the dimensional metal elements. The East Wall metal lettering and elements will link to the North Wall’s metal tree (bench).
We are hoping to complete most of this work over the coming week. Again – YOUR SUPPORT of this project has made it all possible. Dan and I are committed to finishing our collaboration and giving a unique piece of art and a very exciting, visual welcome to this community that means so much to both of us.
Week 7: July 4th-July 10th
Note from Maureen:
“The Lewiston Mural” at Academy Park has progressed to the final stages and the installation of the metal sculptural art at the building. We have reached an exciting stage as all the ‘pieces’ begin to fall together.
Dan Buttery has been working on the production of the ‘Tree Bench’ for the North Wall. On Tuesday July 9th the 9ft metal tree was installed on the North Wall. The Tree Bench will be added to the base/trunk. Dan’s beautiful design features ‘hand hammered’ leaves to form the shape.
The East Wall “Welcome to Lewiston” design will also have dimensional components that are being finished.
Final painting details on the building will be completed after the metal art has been installed.
The past week’s work: Photos taken (last night) Tuesday evening July 9th!
JUNE 2024
Week 6: June 27th-July 3rd
Note from Maureen:
Week six was focused on establishing the mural across the North Wall and preparing the design for the coming metal ‘TREE’ that Dan Buttery is working on.
Placement of the “Tree-Bench” will be at the west/right side of the North Wall. The river and fish, sky and clouds sweep across the North Wall to meet with the West Wall – connecting the mural design. The use of the ‘Niagara River Greenway‘ logo shape is gently featured at the far end of the wall where it meets the West Wall design.
By Monday July 1st (Day 26 of painting) work on the painting of details on each wall was underway, as well as 2nd coat of the bottom band (at the base of the building). I spent hours going back to adjust colors, lines, and other details. Over the next week final ‘touches’ to my design will be added.
The initial installation for the East Wall “Welcome to Lewiston” sculptural elements should begin soon. There will be additional painting after the metal components are in place on the wall(s) to visually merge and bring the 3D metal and 2D painting together.
The coming weekend should be exciting for the visitors to Academy Park for July 4th fireworks and the Saturday Artisan Market as the four sides of the Park building have come together.
Week 5: June 20th-June 26th
Note from Maureen:
The exciting East Wall began to take shape and drew more and more interest from walkers, cyclists, Tops shoppers and passing motorists. This wall has the most visible exposure as you enter the Village – the stop at 9th and Center – and the busy traffic on 9th and at Tops. Great to share the huge progress made over 22 days of painting!
Work on the sculptural elements – like the ‘Tree bench’ designed for the North Wall, is underway.
South Wall & East Wall: The South Wall is about 96% done as I transitioned on to the East Wall. On the East Wall the mural design wraps the River, escarpment and sky from the South Wall across and ‘into’ the “Lewiston Postcard” design. Sky and River will continue at the (right) end of the East Wall to connect to the North Wall mural design.
Home stretch – North Wall!
NORTH WALL: Painting on the final North wall got underway. DAN BUTTERY (BlackLabMetalFab) and to discuss the sculptural elements being designed and created. The finishes (colors and tones) of the metal will link to the colors woven through the mural painting to incorporate the 3D with the 2 dimensional painted design. In preparation for the East and North Wall metal installations – areas of each wall have been painted as a background. They may appear void of detail at this stage.
Week 4: June 13th-June 19th
Note from Maureen:
The past weeks weather conditions were challenging: storms, wind, and intense summer heat. But making great progress! Painting resumed on Monday (6/17) after the busy weekend in Lewiston: Weekend of June 15 & 16 included the Garden Festival, Tour of Gardens, Porchfest, and Artisan’s Market at Academy Park, and Father’s Day! (no painting at the park)
Have been receiving great responses from people! Its a nice feeling to know so many folks are enjoying (watching) the progress of this huge ‘painting.’ I am receiving (POSITIVE!) shouts of encouragement from passing cars, residents and visitors stopping to take selfies, and so many kind people offering to drop off water or coffee!
SOUTH WALL: The South Wall has progressed to a good point: I will return to the South and West Walls for final details after the East and North Walls get painted.
EAST WALL: The East Wall painting started Monday (6/17) and the water and river have reached a good point after 3 days of painting.
NORTH WALL: Targeted to begin work on the North Wall Monday June 24th. After continuing discussions with Dan Buttery – Painting and colors for the North Wall will be finalized to compliment the sculptural elements that will be installed.
Week 3: June 6th-June 12th
Note from Maureen:
DAY 15 of painting / June 11: A busy, and rainy week at the Mural but much accomplished!
Academy Park: The Artisan’s Market started and fills the park on Saturdays. The bike trail along 9th street is making great progress – but still fenced off.
There are more and more visitors to the mural every day, or discovering the mural as they are walking in the park. Many folks have stared to send me ‘selfies’ of their visits to the mural (fun!).
SOUTH WALL: The South Wall has made great progress with painting on the Falls, the River, the LQ Bridge, the escarpments (US and CA sides), Brocks Monument, and the bicycle.
EAST & NORTH WALLS: Last Wednesday night the East and North Walls were drafted onto the building – a big achievement (before the rains!)
Dan Buttery has met with me and work on the sculptural elements has begun.
MAY 2024
Week 2: May 29th-June 5th
Note from Maureen:
Day 12 of painting today as the South Wall begins to take shape: the escarpment, the Bridge, the gorge and the river path.
This huge project is moving along well and I hope to have the East Wall drafted this week, weather permitting, so the painting can continue as I move from the South to the East side of the building.
Dan Buttery and I have begun planning for the exciting ‘next steps’ at the Building. Dan’s design and production of the sculptural elements is underway: they will be installed as the painting reaches a more finished state. Installation dates of the sculptural components TBD.
FUN FACT: The Artist is working with a palette of 19 colors + white: No black is being used!!
Week 1: May 20th-27th
Note from Maureen:
The West Wall of the Academy Park building mural is off to a good start and, with great weather, six days of painting have been completed. After drafting the image on the wall last Monday (May 20th) night, the underpainting started (Tuesday, May 21) and was followed by work on the vineyards, the Lake, farmlands, and orchards to the escarpment.
The South Wall was drafted (outlined) and waiting for the west wall painting to get to a point that I can move to initial painting on the South Wall.
Day 5 of painting – the River and fish were worked on, and the orchards began to take shape yesterday..
Dan Buttery and I will begin to plan the sculptural elements and when they will be introduced over the coming month/months as the mural nears a more finished state.
Building Preparation: May
FUN FACT: The Academy Park building’s four walls surface area for the painting is approximately 825 Sq Ft.