Local artist transforms Commons kiosks into a public art piece

Commons digital directory

Downtown Ithaca recently teamed up with a local artist to add eye-catching public art on the Commons by repurposing its informational kiosks.

Portrait paintings and line drawings of people of color along with the slogan Black Lives Matter on the side panels now wrap the former digital directories.  This inspiring art piece was curated by local painter Terry Plater.

Back of Commons kiosk

A Black Lives Matter mural now wraps the Ithaca Commons’ kiosks. The artwork is the work of local artist Terry Plater.

“When the City of Ithaca and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance decided to decommission the kiosks, we saw an opportunity for Terry’s artistic vision to help visually enhance them. Plater’s creation is a beautiful piece that shares our community’s values through art. We are truly appreciative of her artistic vision and thought-provoking work,” says Downtown Ithaca Marketing Director Allison Graffin.

“I am humbled, proud, and grateful to have my work on display in this fashion. These images depict moments in the life and lived experiences of African Americans, in this case, represented by family members. As people are viewing this piece, my hope is they take away from it that the struggle for a just life — Black lives matter — is embedded in many experiences: love, joy, grief, sorrow, playfulness, skillfulness, learning, giving, determination, support, appreciation, kindness. And, they all matter,” says Plater.

Plater credits Lora Morrow, Downtown Ithaca Alliance graphic designer, for adding further visual appeal to her creation.

“Lora’s the one who thought to reduce the images and arrange them in that arresting pattern, and present them in black and white,” notes Plater.

For more information about this project, contact the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at (607) 277-8679 or email info@downtownithaca.com.

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