WINDOWS ON BROADWAY Student Artwork Exhibit to Open this Sunday

[LIBERTY] – The work of area high school student artists will soon be on display in the windows of the Strong Building on Broadway in Monticello. An opening "Sidewalk Reception" is scheduled for Sunday, July 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

The Windows on Broadway Project is a collaboration of youth and adult volunteers who came together through a series of discussions about Monticello, the County Seat. Last fall the "12701 Youth Summit" was held at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello. Students from Monticello gathered for the day to talk about their community, what they liked and what they would change. From the summit emerged the Youth Appearance Corps and the idea of doing something to enhance and clean-up Broadway in Monticello. In February, the Monticello community meet at the fire house to hear about the progress on projects in Monticello and to "sign on" to volunteer. From that event emerged several committees, including one that would focus on storefronts.

A call for submissions went out to all Sullivan County high schools. The work was photographed, mounted and hung in the windows creating a sidewalk art gallery. The initial installation showcases the work of students from Monticello, Eldred and Liberty High Schools. Artwork from Livingston Manor and Roscoe schools will be included during the summer.

“Sullivan County has a wealth of young artistic talent. It is important to showcase their talents and work, and nurture and support them whenever we can. These pieces reflect the voice of our youth, and our contemporary culture,” said artist Laurie Kilgore, one of the project coordinators. In addition to the prepared artwork, the Youth Economic Group of Rural Migrant Ministries will use an area to document their work through images and photographs.

The installation is being done at the Strong Building on the corner of Broadway and Landfield Avenue. The space has been made available by Mark Vrancich, who owns the building and Nature Lounge, along with his brother Scott. “We were happy to see something go into that space that would add to the changes happening on Broadway," Mark Vrancich said.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception to see the work and meet the artists, some who will be in attendance. Refreshments will be served, catered by Nature Lounge. For information or to RSVP to the reception, contact Sullivan Renaissance at 845-295-2445 or info@sullivanrenaissance.org.