Bring the Five Elements Arches Murals to Light

My name is Christine Knowlton and my creative colleague, Candace Winter, and I have an artistic mission to complete the Five Elements Arches Murals project in Peekskill, NY. A set of five concrete framed arches, along the South St at Requa St, Route 9A retaining wall that overlooks the scenic Hudson River and Peekskill train station, were built with the expectation that art would be installed in each of the openings.

In 2019 when Peekskill won a NYS DRI grant (New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative), there was an Open Call for project ideas. Candace shared my creative vision and brought her unique painted paper collage approach and together we crafted the design and proposal for the murals. Our independent project became joined under the Enlighten Peekskill umbrella with the Hudson Valley Museum of Contemporary Art and the Peekskill Artists Alliance arts projects.

The Arches Location & Vision

The retaining wall arches range from 21' down to over 13' and vary in width. Instead of painting on rough concrete, the five collage art-boards are to be scanned, digitally upsized, printed and UV coated on heavy vinyl, fabricated to fit and installed. Overhead LED lighting will be added to softly illuminate the arches at night.

The Concept

The design is based on the concept of the Five Elements as the basis of nature and every living organism. Each element has corresponding associations, different colors, and energetic movements.

Community Involvement

Since the July 2021 notice of grant acceptance, we have worked steadily to engage the local community in this major public art project. We held 11 workshops involving 1,600 people of all ages and walks of life. The basic concept of the five elements was introduced and a palette of uniquely painted papers evoking each element was created.

All 500 Peekskill Middle School students and every Peekskill High School art student painted and cut collage papers. A PHS mural was installed in a hallway and the leftover papers were used in our 3' x 5' collage art-boards. Two painting workshops were hosted by the Field Library and other local artists contributed to our art process.

The painted collage papers were then hand cut into element-assigned shapes: Wood as green leaves; Fire as wavy reds; Earth as golden strands and flowers; Metal as rich diamonds and triangles; and Water as varied blue fish.

Participants at the Peekskill Coffee House, the Railroad Avenue Makers Market, and summer music festivals, as well as Peekskill Arts Alliance artists and Open Studios visitors, chose their favorite elemental papers and shapes. Everyone loved the design concept and was excited to contribute.

The Project Phase

Why GoFundMe Support is Essential

Because the New York State DRI funding does not pay 100% of any project budget and does not pay "soft" critical administrative costs or overages, we knew we had gap fundraising to do. But since the 2019 estimated budget of $33K was approved, of which $24K was granted, COVID affected the supply chain and electrical costs have doubled. We have a much greater fundraising need than anticipated for the Five Elements Arches Murals project to be completed as envisioned. Our revised goal is to raise $25,000.

Along with all the community helping hands, the murals project has received the following financial support.

The local press has generously highlighted the mural project as it develops. In August, the online Peekskill Herald published an illustrative article. And the River Journal North just featured the Five Elements Arches Murals project front page and center of the February 2023 print and online paper. The school children and their families, and all of the participants who had a hand in the collage papers for the art panels, took pride to be part of such a large public art project. Everyone has asked when they will go up and is eager to see what they helped to create.

The City of Peekskill is known as a vibrant artistic and diverse community. The completion of the Five Elements Arches Murals will be a point of pride for all residents, business owners, and visitors who helped make it happen. The state grant with essential additional organization and private funding provides an opportunity to beautify our streets with art and further enhance its reputation as an arts destination. For too long, these highly visible arches have been an empty canvas.

What is Next?

How You Can Help

If you would prefer to give a tax-deductible donation through the project fiscal sponsor, The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art/HVMOCA, Tagged to the Five Elements Arches Murals, please contact HVMOCA.

A vision takes a community to become a reality!

Together, we can do this!