Public Art on Long Island 

Public art is everywhere; it can be as simple as a pop of color on a quiet street, or a mural stretching across an entire building. For this project I explored Long Island and found these spots of art that make people’s day. The artwork that can be seen for years, or just a few days. No two public art pieces are the same, in that they are chosen specifically for a location, or created around a certain element. Many public art structures are unique to culture and history of the place that it comes from. With any location, adding a bit of art to the site brings the world around it to life. With letters and signs, the environment becomes enriched and creates new life. A simple brick wall gets transformed into a striking sight that could change many individuals sight on life. No matter how simple or complex an art piece is, I believe that adding artwork into our everyday environment can change a person’s mood instantly; The power of art becomes stronger. 

 

Lake Ronkonkoma

 

 

 

Sayville

 

 

 

 

Blue Point

 

Patchogue

 

 

 

 

References and Research

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/long-island-s-public-art-street-art-and-graffiti-1.10753083

https://www.yelp.com/biz/lake-ronkonkoma-indian-princess-mural-ronkonkoma

https://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/PublicArtNetwork_GreenPaper.pdf

https://www.americansforthearts.org/2018/08/30/five-reasons-why-public-art-matters

Overall

To capture my love for public art I researched and drove to locations all over Long Island and photographed them. I find that many streets and buildings in the city have these beautiful elements, but Long Island makes you search for them. I hope that in the future more buildings become filled with murals. Public art matters because it is a platform for civic dialogue and the most democratic of art forms. Five major reasons why public art is important is for Economic Growth and Sustainability, Attachment and Cultural Identity, Artists as Contributors, Social Cohesion and Cultural Understanding, and Public Health and Belonging. When done well, a public artwork engages citizens in conversation that can vary from understanding historical and cultural backgrounds, to driving attachment to place and social cohesion. Public art directly influences how people see and connect with a place, providing access to aesthetics that support its identity and making residents feel appreciated and valued. Aesthetics is one of the top three characteristics why residents attach themselves to a community. In a world struggling with new ways to connect, public art can make public spaces more approachable.