City seeks input on mural project - Committee wants to know what kind of themes are appropriate for mural art

Staff Report - The Daily Star

ONEONTA — The city of Oneonta's Civic Beautification Committee wants residents to consider the question "What object represents the spirit of community to you?"

Answers will help the committee identify a theme for the first phase of the mural project, according to James R. Koury, committee chairman. The first phase of the project is to paint two murals.

Until Jan. 31, questionnaire boxes for answers will be at ARC Otsego, Oneonta Job Corps Center, Center Street Elementary School, the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, Artware, Huntington Memorial Library, Elena's, the Autumn Cafe, in the post office and the lobby in City Hall.

After comments are collected, Jennie Williams and Cynthia Marsh, muralists designated to do the first phase, will develop a theme for the project, according to Koury, and they will design the first two murals to be painted this year at private locations.

Koury said he is thrilled the mural project is at the design and fund-raising stages. A meeting with prospective community patrons is planned for sometime next month, and fund-raising activities also will be held.

The Civic Beautification Committee is responsible for the mural project, street-scaping and signage. In addition to Koury, Williams and Marsh, members are Alec Pitel of the city engineering department; Jeffrey House, downtown developer; Ted Christman, city parks supervisor; Bonnie Dokuchitz; Betsy Cunningham; Darlene Pondolfino; Pamela Cooley, UCCCA director; Angeline Nielsen; and Grace Smith.

For more information, call Koury, city clerk, at 432-6450.