Canandaigua, N.Y. — A local art program did it’s part to give back to the community on Friday.
Canandaigua’s Paints & Rec program, which is made up of more than 200 youth artists as young as 7 years old, unveiled its completed mural for the fire department.
BACKGROUND:Students finishing new mural at Canandaigua Fire Department station
Dozens of people were in attendance for the celebratory ribbon cutting.
The mural stretches over 116 lateral feet of brick canvas. It is the second ever front-facing mural to be displayed on Main Street.
“It’s really interesting to see how like, all these weeks built up and made this great masterpiece with everyone’s work all together,” said 13-year-old Riley Herrera, a member of the program.
The theme behind the artwork is the history and evolution of the city, with imagery from the 1900’s all the way through 2023.
Program directors say the artwork is 99 percent youth-created. The young artists were tasked with researching Canandaigua’s rich history, sketching ideas, and then executing their ideas in paint.
“Even I, myself, learned a lot of things that I didn’t already know,” said Courtney Austin, the camp director. “And I’ve lived here my entire life.”
Courtney Austin is an art teacher for Canandaigua schools, whos daughter also participates in Paints & Rec.
“There was no art before we came here, now all we’ve done is a lot,” said 9-year-old Claire Austin, cheerfully. “We get to experience all of the art details, all of the different brushes we get to use.”
The program began last year, with the task of transforming Jefferson Memorial Park.
MORE:Young artists transform Canandaigua park with heartfelt murals
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