Trestle Mural Project Fall Update

(Newburgh) - “We’re very grateful to our Brick Walkway donors,” said Kiki Hayden, President of the Board of Directors of Trestle Inc. “A large crowd of enthusiastic friends of the Waterfront Mural turned out for breakfast on September 9th, which Torches Restaurant provided gratis, before the third fund-raising walkway was unveiled.”

The $100 embossed bricks have raised $37,000 for the costs of the 220’ mural titled Arches, presently being painted on the wall between Third and Fourth Streets along restaurant row on Front Street, Newburgh. Present and former Newburgh neighbors, families, and friends have gathered here to read the sentiments written on the sidewalk in front of the early sketches of the giant mural.

Kay Burke, chair of the Brick Donations, said that the people were so pleased to see the project going forward after overcoming obstacles of insurance, permits, and weather. “Everyone was excited at the preliminary sketches of Washington’s Headquarters,” she said, “and they especially liked the inclusion of figures in the landscape.” Burke added that the figures have always been planned from the first mock-up of the painting.
Garin Baker, the muralist chosen by the Board, has seen the need for another undercoat product to further prepare and protect the wall. That process began recently. He is confident that his team will be able to finish three of the five arches by the end of November with good weather. Each arch will portray a historic scene from the city: Washington’s Headquarters, View from Broadway, The Crawford House, Downing Park and the Dutch Reform Church. The final two paintings will be completed in the early spring 2007.

Members of the Board announced that the funding of the artist and his team has begun, paying out moneys from the New York State Coastal Resources Grant of $75,000 and the $10,000 Orange Arts Grant from County Executive Ed Diana and Orange Tourism Director Susan Cayea and the Legislature. While it is believed that another $20,000 will finish the fund raising. Trestle Inc. has received approximately $180,000 from personal, corporate, institutional benefactors as well as the Brick Walkway donors and their generosity. Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine, City Manager Jean-Anne McGrane, the City Council and the Newburgh City Hall Staff have been extremely cooperative, facilitating many aspects of this complicated transaction between CSX Railroad and Newburgh.