SAVE THE MAMARONECK MURALS and RESCUE MIMI

THE LOCAL STORY BEHIND THE MURALS

How to help: Contribute

through GoFundMe

The magnificent and historically significant James Fenimore Cooper murals, on the walls at Mamaroneck High School since 1941, are in the way of approved construction at the school. The Mamaroneck Historical Society believes the community should not lose this valuable asset. Construction is scheduled to begin April 1, 2022.

A GoFundMe fundraising drive is under way to raise funds to save the murals.

Our goal is to remove the eight murals from the walls of the high school and reinstall them in the Larchmont Mamaroneck community. Two of the murals, including one painted by Mimi Jennewein, a Mamaroneck High School graduate, are on walls that need to be taken down during construction and potentially damaged beyond repair in the process. The plan for the other six murals is to build a wall over them, making them no longer visible to anyone.

Read more about the murals and see images of all eight here.

THE 2019 MAMARONECK MURAL PROJECT

The Mamaroneck Historical Mural Project is sponsored and organized by the Mamaroneck Historical Society and Street Art for mankind, the local non-profit that previously produced and curated the Larchmont Historical Murals. Former Village Trustee Leon Potok has served as team facilitator.

The Historical Murals Project aims to illustrate key elements in our past and symbolize the character of our community, and to enhance our streets with beautiful public art.

Over the course of Spring Break 2019, renowned street artists from around the world created five spectacular murals in Mamaroneck that pay tribute to the diversity, artistic heritage, and the rich history of our “Friendly Village”. The murals were financed through sponsors and donors. The Historical Society is seeking additional donations to fill the gap in funding the first five murals and to fund additional murals.

As the street artists were painting their murals, the Mamaroneck Historical Society and Street Art for Mankind organized “meet the artist” sessions with each artist, a spray paint workshop sponsored by the Village Recreation Department, and a film series at the Mamaroneck Library featuring Lillian Gish, Ethel Barrymore, and Matt Dillon, who lived and worked in Mamaroneck and are the subjects of one of the murals. In addition, a talk by Julie Seely, granddaughter of Nathan Seely, the builder of the Skinny House was provided to and appreciative public. The murals were inaugurated with a guided walk from mural to mural on April 28th, which drew a very large crowd.

Information about Street Art for Mankind, the augmented reality app ‘Behind the Wall’, and a map of mural locations can be found here:

http://streetartmankind.org/event/mamaroneck-historical-murals/

Sponsors 

Full Mural-$4,400

Elizabeth Ehrlich & Leon Potok

Half Mural-$2,200

Rich Leimgruber, Ameriprise

DeCicco’s

Joel Halpern, The Mason M.V.S.

John Verni, Verco Properties

Village of Mamaroneck Arts Council

Jaime Lynn Weisinger, MADE: My Art + Design Experience

Quarter Mural-$1,100

John Dionisio, ASAP ETC INC

Dave Finch

Mamaroneck Historical Society

The New Jewish Home/Sarah Neuman

STREET ART FOR MANKIND’S

MAMARONECK HISTORICAL MURALS

UNVEILING THE HISTORY OF THE “FRIENDLY VILLAGE”

Enjoy a 30 minute self-guided Art Walk that offers people of all ages the chance to discover incredible murals made by prominent artists: Bruno Smoky, Loic Ercolessi, Mr Cenz, Shalak Attack, and Victor Ash.

These murals celebrate the foundational stories and values of the Mamaroneck community. They portray key cultural and historical themes such as diversity, the importance of the Harbor, the artistic scene, the iconic Skinny House, and the Village’s Native American Indian heritage.

For this new project, the second stage of the Westchester Historical Murals, Street Art for Mankind had the pleasure to partner with the Mamaroneck Historical Society, and to work with the Village of Mamaroneck and its Arts Council. Former Village Trustee Leon Potok served as facilitator.

To get the full experience and enjoy a free self-guided art walk, download the Street Art for Mankind app “Behind the Wall” that gives you the ability to hear children of the community and artists talking to you about the stories behind each mural and the creative process of each artist.