Projects
Franklin Alley Mural
The largest building on the alley was the target of vandals and weeds.
Neighbors and kids traveled the alley daily and‚ feeling depressed‚ asked a simple question. “What can we do about this?”
Three years before, two of the neighbors who lived on this alley helped to create a booklet of concepts and specific ideas to reclaim, improve and develop Troy's alleys.
The results are contained in The Alley Improvement Project 2006
They decided to apply for a local‚ financial grant to cover the basic costs for a proposed mural on the alley-side of the building. Besides the many gallons of paint and several brushes‚ they needed funds to hire an artist. Public art requires a professional such as Armando Soto, with the experience and ability to work with all involved in creating a mural.
Invitations to participate in a design workshop were hand delivered to everyone living on the alley block. Younger and older‚ those who would see and live with the completed work became invested in the final product.
Artist Armando Soto led the way. He repeated again and again, “Anything goes! Use your imaginations. Draw what you like. Put something of yourself into your pictures. What is your vision?”
After assembling the many drawings into a collage of images‚ the artist said‚ “Now it’s my job to make and color a unified picture‚ one that represents your alley‚ one that represents each of you.”
Two weeks before the big day‚ the alley-face of the building had to be properly prepared. Neighbors volunteered to clear the weeds and patch the brickwork’s holes and gaps. Two coats of primer were applied. The 50 foot by 14 foot brick canvas was ready for the paint-by-number drawing.
It had to be dark in order to project the image onto the building. It took three nights to get it right‚ all 15 numbers/colors included.
Two days of rain proceeded The Big Day‚ and all were worried. But the sun shone bright to greet the 80 neighbors‚ old and young‚ who came that Saturday‚ ready to paint. Spirits were high and the only rule was‚ “Match the color to the number and stay inside the lines!”
Local television and newspaper reporters
joined in and soon had great stories to tell…
Everyone who came painted a little or a lot. The day wore on and masses of food and drink were consumed. After eight hours‚ all were tired. The mural was complete. The many smiles reflected the satisfaction of a job well done.
Now‚ several months later‚ the Franklin Alley Mural is the neighborhood’s pride. It remains graffiti free as even vandals realize that genuine art should be respected.
The neighbors and kids who travel the alley still smile as they pass by.
