New mural adds color to downtown
Artists from Starlight Enterprises Inc. helped local artist Jon Stucky complete a new mural in downtown New Philadelphia. Art life coach Kelly McMullen, left, Rick Toole, Christie Gardner, art life coach Carrie Herbert, Christopher Gonter-Dray and Scott Gruber are pictured.
Dover artist Jon Stucky recently completed a mural created for a privately owned business that is located in a high-traffic area of downtown New Philadelphia where residents and visitors can see it.
Commissioned by Debbie Aubihl-Knisely, proprietor at Alley Cats Marketplace, a newly opened 50,000-square-foot venue that features the work and wares of 63 individual artisans and merchants, the outdoor mural brightens the corner of the freshly painted dark-brick structure that once served as a car dealership in the building’s early days and more recently as the former Community Hospice Browse and Buy shop.
An artist by trade, Stucky is no stranger to murals and public art, having assisted in and been the coordinator of the creation of others in the region including a larger-than-life image on the wall of a building on Ashwood Lane in downtown New Philadelphia and a four-panel movable mural that celebrates the history, culture and societal impact of the Tuscarawas County Fair and was displayed for the first time at last year’s event at the fairgrounds in Dover.
For both projects Stucky recruited the help of adult individuals who utilize the services offered at Starlight Enterprises Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources for self-advocacy and self-determination through choices.
Stucky’s work has common themes including the use of bright colors and bold lines, the inclusion of primitive and indigenous cultural symbols, and the battle for good over evil throughout a large body of work of various sizes and mediums.
Familiar with Stucky’s work, Aubihl-Knisely knew she wanted to include cats in the new mural to highlight the theme of the business name while retaining the distinctive style Stucky is known for.
“I had seen Jon’s work and was aware of his projects with Starlight,” Aubihl Knisely said. “We were fortunate to find the building in pretty good shape when we bought it. There was some repair work done on the foundation, but mostly it was cosmetic stuff. The mural was a way to draw attention and beautify the building.”
Stucky’s working relationship with Starlight began a few years ago when Tracy Aubihl, the SEI community-connection manager, contacted the artist to see if her clients could visit his art studio so they could see what a working studio was like.
“They came and spent several hours with me at my studio,” Stucky said. “They, in turn, invited me to see their space at SEI and so I went. I was amazed at how much they were doing.”
When Stucky was asked to create the Ashwood Lane mural, he wanted a part of the project to allow the community to get involved.
An initial meeting with Aubihl; Cassie Elvin, the SEI director; and the organization’s art directors regarding the project gave Stucky the opportunity to invite SEI artists to participate, giving them the artistic freedom to do what they wanted.
“I invited SEI to join me, and they agreed,” Stucky said.
Stucky, who usually works alone, took on the endeavor with a team of volunteer artists from SEI ready to get started.
“They have all made the conscious decision to do the project,” Stucky said. “They knew that this was unlike a paid job they would normally do and was a community project.”
A partnership was born, and Stucky and artists from SEI continue to work together. Prior to this most recent mural, the team completed a Buddy Bench in an initiative made possible by the Good Neighbor Project, headed by local community advocate Andrew Willsterman and supporter Mary Ann Lauber. The bench was donated to a local elementary school.
“The process is different when I am working with a team of other artists,” Stucky said. “I don’t do much of the work on the days SEI is here because I am busy directing the project. I explain what we’re doing and guide the artists, but I let them make decisions about color and design as much as possible. And, of course, if anyone needs any help, I am here for that.”
Stucky said the public projects are meant to have an impact on the community.
“Obviously these projects make places look better, but they also expose people to the arts,” he said. “They give people the opportunity to see something that might happen in a big city happening right here. The people involved get connected. These public art projects can be a catalyst for things to come, whether that be new business or increased property values. Studies shows that where there is public art, real-estate values go up.”
This latest mural is located at 115 Allen Lane SW at the corner of West High and South Broadway Street.