Opening Reception for “Iconic Syracuse,” a Collaborative Billboard Project of OHA and the Connective Corridor – September 6

Onondaga Historical Association and the Connective Corridor announce an opening reception for a collaborative billboard project entitled, “Iconic Syracuse,” a 12-part series of billboards, changing on the first of each month for the next year, and featuring iconic historic scenes of Syracuse found along the Connective Corridor. The reception for “Iconic Syracuse” is Thursday, September 6 from 4-6 p.m. at the Warehouse, 350 West Fayette Street, in the fourth floor salon. Guests can meet the student artists and see their work as well as the images and photographs from the archival collection at OHA that serve as the inspiration for their paintings. Remarks will be from OHA’s Executive Director, Gregg Tripoli. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information, call Karen at OHA at 428-1864, ext. 312, or contact the Syracuse University Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development at corridor@syr.edu or by calling 443-5593.

“Iconic Syracuse” is a production of OHA and the Connective Corridor. Beginning in September, 2012 and changing monthly, the billboard will feature iconic photos of historic Syracuse that highlight street scenes along the Connective Corridor that are paired with oil paintings created by Greg Mawicke and Jesse Handelman of Syracuse University’s Industrial and Interaction Design department under the direction of Professor Denise Heckman.

Other students who assisted on research and development are Marcus Hanna and Ariel Zuckerman, also Industrial and Interaction Design students working with Professor Denise Heckman. The graphic designer for the series is Stephen Kimek, Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University. The photos used on the billboard were curated by OHA’s Curator of History, Dennis Connors.

The project will display different photos and paintings each month over a twelve-month period ending in September, 2013.  The first billboard of the project was installed in August to “announce” the upcoming collaboration and features six of the iconic photos with the headline, “USE the Past, InfUSE the Future”.

The Warehouse, at 350 West Fayette Street, is home to Syracuse University’s Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development. “Iconic Syracuse” embodies “scholarship in action” and community engagement, the two key goals of the Connective Corridor, and is conceived as a gateway beautification project, adjacent to the newly landscaped entrance nodes to Armory Square at West Street and West Fayette Street.

Denise Heckman, Associate Professor in the Industrial and Interaction Design Program, noted, “The project introduces the community to iconic places with a fresh perspective on areas that we might not consider because we are so used to them. That’s why the interpretations represented by Greg and Jesse are so important. They encourage the viewer to take a second look.”

Artist Greg Mawicke, a fifth-year senior majoring in Industrial Design and History at Syracuse University from Milwaukee, WI, described his experience creating the oil-based paintings that are reproduced on the billboards: “I am honored to be working on this Connective Corridor project, and I believe in its goal of reinvigorating pride in Syracuse by recognizing the city’s rich past.  I hope that my paintings convey the respect I have for Syracuse and highlight the beauty that the city still holds.” Mawicke has exhibited work at the Milwaukee Art Museum, XL Projects in Syracuse, and most recently at Max Fish Gallery in Manhatten.

The project’s other artist, Jesse Handelman, a third-year Industrial and Interaction Design student and a native of the Rochester area, stated, “I’m very excited to be a part of this Connective Corridor project. The images of downtown Syracuse provided by the OHA are a captivating look into the scope of such a fascinating, historic city. I hope my work will illustrate some of the beauty we continue to see in this city everyday.”

Linda Hartsock, Director, Syracuse University Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development, who co-created the project with Professor Heckman, noted that, “The goal of the Connective Corridor is place-making through creative design and innovative use of urban space.  This project is designed to enhance Syracuse’s sense of identity through the interplay of its past with interpretations of its promise, created by promising young talent who are engaged in meaningful ways in redesigning its future.”

Gregg Tripoli, Executive Director of OHA stated, “OHA is thrilled to be collaborating, once again, with Syracuse University to bring historic perspective to the Connective Corridor.  This project is a beautiful mix of the old and the new and it symbolizes the important role that our past has on informing our future.”

Serving the community since 1863, Onondaga Historical Association’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history of Onondaga County. Located in downtown Syracuse in the historic 1906 Bell Telephone building at 321 Montgomery Street, OHA is home to the area’s only comprehensive history museum. OHA’s permanent exhibits on Central New York history include installations on the Underground Railroad and Syracuse China. The museum also hosts temporary exhibits in its four changing galleries. The Research Center at OHA contains upwards of a million photographs and documents. In addition, OHA produces educational programming, off-site exhibits, and a large number of articles, newsletters and books, as well as offering history-themed items in the museum gift gallery.

The Connective Corridor is a partnership initiative that is helping reshape the face of Syracuse through the creation of new urban spaces and streetscapes, bike and pedestrian paths, innovative public transportation, public art, parks, green infrastructure, façade improvements, historic preservation and neighborhood revitalization.  The Corridor connects University Hill with downtown business districts, as well as more than 30 arts and cultural venues.  A multi-disciplinary project, it exemplifies Syracuse University’s vision of “scholarship in action” to leverage and link assets, and drive cutting-edge revitalization in the City of Syracuse, exemplifying best practices in sustainability, smart growth and place-making.

A reception to close the “Iconic Syracuse” project with an auction of the oil paintings is planned at the Warehouse for May of 2013.

For more information on the opening for “Iconic Syracuse”, call Karen at OHA at 428-1864, ext. 312, or contact the Syracuse University Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development at corridor@syr.edu or by calling 443-5593.