Local artists put a new face on
museum
September 2007
Story and photo by Nathan Mayberg, courtesy the Times
Herald-Record
Hurleyville - The Sullivan
County Museum just received a shot in the arm from two homegrown
artists. Eight towering murals reflecting Sullivan County's
history have replaced boarded up window panes in the front and
on the right side of the former Hurleyville school building on
Frances Currey Boulevard. After months of labor, Monticello High
School graduates Laurie Kilgore and Tobi Magnetico completed the
works using water color paints in their artist lofts in
Monticello. The idea for the works came from Hurleyville First,
a Sullivan Renaissance group. They were able to secure grant
money as part of their ongoing three-year project to revitalize
Hurleyville.
The beautiful works detail Sullivan's history from its original
inhabitants, the Native Americans, to the Battle of Minisink in
the Revolutionary War all the way to Woodstock and the resort
industry. "They make the place look alive," said George Ardito,
President of the Sullivan County Historical Society. The museum
is still emerging from the impact of Sullivan County budget
cuts, which forced them to pick up some of their own operating
cuts.
The museum is currently
thankful to be open, as there was a threat of closure just a
year ago. Ardito thanked Sullivan County legislator Jodi Gooman
for her work in finding a solution. In the meantime, Goodman has
been working with the historical society and Hurleyville First
on renovating St. Mary's Catholic Church next door to use for
community events. Hurleyville First has continued their work at
Fireman's Park with landscaping and a tribute to World War 2
medal of Honor recipient Frances Currey. Work also continues at
the Luzon Station on a rails to trails program.
"We started in crisis mode,"
said Goodman of the committee's work to save the museum. "Now
when people drive down Main Street, they will see the building
is beautiful."
Photo caption:
Local artists
Laurie Kilgore and Tobi Magnetico (far right) stand in front of
6 of the 8 murals they painted, representing Sullivan County's
history at the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville. From
the left is Sullivan County Historical Society President George
Ardito, Hurleyville First member Mary Ann Halchak,Historical
Society member Pat Burns, Helen Budrock, Hurleyville First
volunteer Jim Sullivan, Sullivan County legislator Jodi Goodman,
Sullivan County Director of Parks and Recreation Kristin Porter,
Magnetico and Kilgore. Magnetico is holding a framed photo of
all 8 murals given to the artists by Goodman, the historical
society and the renaissance group. The six murals, from left to
right, are: Native American settlements, Battle of Minisink,
Roebling Bridge in Liberty, Luzon Train Station in Hurleyville,
The great Monticello fires, and fishing in Roscoe. The other two
murals, placed in the window panes at the front of the museum
are a depiction of Woodstock and the resort era.
Kilgore is a 1995 graduate of Monticello, while Magnetico is a
2000 graduate from Monticello. Kilgore is now an art teacher at
Monticello High School. Magnetico gives art lessons at her
Peachtree studio on Broadway. She can be reached at 807-7888.
Back to Alumni page
Back to news
index
|
