NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
3 July 2002

CITY ISLAND MURAL KICKS OFF MAJOR NEW PUBLIC ART INITIATIVE

Harrisburg, PA — Mayor Stephen R. Reed today launched a major new public art initiative with the grand unveiling of a magnificent new mural on City Island. The large scale, historically-themed artwork was created by national artist Wayne Fettro, and is located on the eastern retaining wall of City Island, overlooking the waterfront and the downtown. As many as 50 murals will be placed on buildings, walls and in public areas citywide over the next 5 or more years.

The Mayor said the new City Island mural depicts a collage of various events and periods in City Island history, ranging from Native American occupation to the historic Negro Leagues playing at Island Park. Scenes of the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, City Island Beach and a track and field sports event are also included in the 15 feet high by 50 feet long mural, which is visible from Front Street in downtown. The dramatic new artwork took nearly two months of daily work by artist Wayne Fettro to complete.

“The Historic Mural Project is a dramatic enhancement of the city’s extensive public art inventory,” said Mayor Reed, “and captures Harrisburg’s rich and illustrious history with significant visual impact. Future murals will also depict people, places and events in Harrisburg’s and Pennsylvania’s history, with the next piece to feature the Harrisburg Senators and professional baseball play on City Island, which first began in the late 19th Century.”

Reed commissioned the mural project last Fall and designated the Harrisburg Public Arts Advisory Board to oversee the solicitation, selection and undertaking of the work. The Board is an all-volunteer body of civic and art leaders who set standards and review proposed projects involving the placement of art in public areas.

“We are delighted with this impressive and eye-catching inaugural mural, and salute the good work of Wayne Fettro and the Public Arts Advisory Board in helping create this stunning new attraction on City Island.”

Reed said the new public art initiative will expand to include another large-scale mural on City Island underneath the Walnut Street Bridge, with additional murals to be placed on various buildings and streetscapes in the months to come. The effort is being conducted in conjunction with an array of other historically-themed work begun at the Mayor’s direction last year and in 2000. Other aspects of the overall project include the placement of historic pedestal signage throughout the city depicting various periods in city history, a directional signage system for travelers to various attractions and points of interest, and the creation or reprint various city promotional brochures and publications.

“These projects are designed to bolster the city’s status as a growing point of destination for history, tourism, recreation, arts and culture,” said Mayor Reed. “The mural project also serves as an educational tool for area artists and art lovers, allowing interested persons to observe the entire creative process from initial sketching and drawings to finished project. Observers are encouraged to speak with the artists as they work, learning first-hand how to create such large-scale public artworks.”

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