Rockland'sArt In Public Places Program A Success Due To Staff, Volunteers: Cornell

From AIPP Rockland: Legislator Harriet Cornell is thanking and applauding the many volunteers, creators and County employees who have contributed to the success of the Rockland County Art In Public Places program.

“Art is many things – and it means different things to different people, as they experience it,” Legislator Cornell said. “Rockland’s Art in Public Places has allowed people to experience art in their daily lives with public displays of sculpture, photography, paintings, and more. It provokes a new way of viewing the world and invites discourse.”

“Pablo Picasso once said, ‘The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls,’” Legislator Cornell said. “Our County now has art all over Rockland, connected with government property – and our souls have benefited.”

In 1986, the Rockland County Legislature passed a landmark new law sponsored by Legislators Cornell and Bruce Levine that became known as the Percent for Arts Law. The legislation requires that 1 percent of the first $15 million of eligible County public works projects be allocated for art in public places.

It was the first such law in the state outside of New York City, and one of the first in the nation. One unique aspect was that from the start, the law recognized that some of the money set aside should also be available for maintenance and restoration when needed.

Since the passage of the law, artworks have been installed at more than two dozen government-owned sites around the county. Many of the artworks serve a functional purpose such as the beautifully-wrought gate at Kakiat Park or the luminous stained-glass windows in the Court House Annex. Others call attention to Rockland’s history, such as the carved brick columns and path made of Haverstraw brick at Haverstraw Bay County Park - a tribute to the brick industry of an earlier time - and the recently dedicated Waves of Change which stands in front of the County Office Building reminding the onlooker of the many changes which have occurred in Rockland since its agricultural past.

Legislator Cornell said, “A public art program provides the community with a unique identity, civic pride and thought-provoking cultural landmarks - as well as a sense of community cohesion.” She went on to say that “it is no small matter to recognize the economic benefits to the community, as the artist hires local vendors to do ancillary work to install and bring projects to fruition - and visitors attracted to the arts offerings in Rockland spend money in our shops and restaurants.”

As per the requirements of the local law, a committee of 11 knowledgeable volunteers from the community - artists, art historians, architects - runs the AIPP program and oversees the commission, selection and placement of artworks.

Projects include the commissioning of new works, and the preservation and restoration of existing public artwork, such as that in Dutch Garden built as a WPA project in the 1930s. The Committee seeks art that will open minds to new possibilities, for the public to experience in their daily life. The County Legislature and Executive approve final selections and siting. The program is managed by the Rockland Center for the Arts. Julianne Ramos is the program administrator.

The following past and present committee members were honored:

Helene Bon, Ann Byne, Jennie Chien, Jan Degenshein, Judy Esterow, Shari Fischberg, Ruth Geneslaw, Andy Golub, Emily Harvey, Pat Hickman, Isabella Jacob, Barbara Kalvert, Barry Kostrinsky, Ken Linsner, Paula Madawick, Midge Maier, Pam Marchin, Erin Martin, Sr. Adele Myers, Carl Opalek, Michael Shilale, Sally Spivack, Paul Tappenden, James Tyler, Mary Weitzman, Frances Wells, Dan Sherman, Dan White.

County Executive Ed Day and former County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef were also recognized.

Also recognized were county government employees who assist the AIPP committee. These include Bev Floersheim, Assistant to the County Executive; Charles Vezzetti, County Highway Superintendent; Joe Pyzowski, Project Manager, Engineering Division, Highway Department; Bob Gruffi, Director, Rockland County Facilities; R. Allan Beers, Coordinator, Division of Environmental Resources; Mike DiMola, Manager, Parks Operations; Michael Drummond, Department of Finance; Thomas Simeti, Venita Whidbee-Jordan and Deborah Capezzuto, attorneys, Department of Law; Gerry Walsh, former director, Department of General Services.

“In a democratic society, all the people - not just an elite few - have the right to be participants in the arts, and it is the duty of government to create access to and encourage participation in arts and culture,” Legislator Cornell said. “For more than three decades, these wonderful volunteers, artists and County employees have made that participation possible and for that, we should all be thankful.”

Please visit http://www.aipprockland.org/ for more information, including photos of the artwork and a map showing locations.

Image Courtesy of AIPP Rockland