Dear Residents,
You may recall the New York State Thruway Authority in 2018 partnered with the Arts Council of Rockland and ArtsWestchester to commission artwork along the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Path (Shared Use Path). Well, today, the winners of that competition were announced!
I’m pleased to report that six of the ten commissions will be installed on Thruway property in South Nyack. Click Here to view pictures. Descriptions noted below
TAPPAN ZEE (Ilan Averbuch, artist)
This piece is located near the trailhead at Franklin Street and Clinton Avenue. Seven abstracted figures carry a canoe alongside pedestrians and bicyclists, in a metaphorical shared journey. This sculpture pays homage to the Native American Lenape and their history along the Hudson River, while also symbolizing the value of collaboration in crossing rivers, building communities, and reaching new horizons.
THE FLUX OF BEING (Chris Soria, artist)
This mural, done by an artist in neighboring Nyack, will adorn the South Broadway underpass. Combining layers of abstract geometry with silhouettes of subjects from the natural environment, this mural celebrates the rich biodiversity of the Hudson River Valley.
APPROACH (Fitzhugh Karol, artist)
This sculpture, situated next to the path’s Rockland Welcome Center, incorporates steel from both the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and its predecessor, the Tappan Zee. The piece evokes a sense of uplift, progress and momentum, visually anchoring the beginning of the bridge path in South Nyack.
BIKE RACK (David Greenberg, artist)
The design of this bike rack, which will also be installed near the Rockland Welcome Center, is informed by marine mooring bollards and alludes to the historic importance of the Hudson River as a commercial transportation artery. The oval openings accommodate the “mooring” of a bicycle, offering cyclists a rest on their cross-river journey.
LEAPING STURGEON (Wendy Klemperer, artist)
This piece will be situated at the Rockland Outlook, just to the south of Salisbury Point. A 14-foot Atlantic Sturgeon — made from rebar and other salvaged steel — will “leap” out of the Hudson River. This sculpture celebrates the ancient and majestic fish that is part of the region’s history and lore as well as the state’s on-going population recovery efforts of this endangered species.
This is exciting news and I look forward to viewing these works of art.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend,
Bonnie Christian