Public ARTWORKS marks 20 years with new installation
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WILLIAMSPORT -- Public ARTWORKS (PAW) is marking 20 years of bringing public art to Lycoming County with a new downtown installation and plans for a book documenting the organization’s work.
The committee, which operates under the nonprofit Lycoming Arts, will unveil “Riverside Rhythms,” a mosaic created by husband-and-wife artists Dave and Deb Stabley, at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at 329 Pine St. in Williamsport.
The mosaic depicts elements of the Williamsport area’s history and culture, including its timber industry, Little League Baseball tradition, arts and entertainment scene and the Susquehanna River Valley.
The installation will be dedicated in memory of founding committee member Mark Murawski, who died in June. Murawski served as PAW’s treasurer for 20 years and worked for the Lycoming County Planning Department for 32 years.
“Losing Mark is tough. We thought, ‘Should we even go on?’ But Mark loved this committee and we needed to go on. We will be honoring Mark by continuing to fulfill our mission,” said PAW co-founder and chairperson Laura Hirth Martin.
Founded in 2006, PAW grew out of a community effort to fund Michael Pilato’s mural, “Lycoming County: Inspiration,” which spans exterior walls along Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport.
The Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Our Towns: 2010 and community volunteers raised $40,000 for the project. After its completion, several participants formed PAW to continue developing public art throughout the county.
Over the past two decades, the committee has raised money for installations at locations including the Williamsport Regional Airport, Susquehanna Riverwalk and downtown Williamsport.
“We stuck to our mission and continue to fulfill our goal of public art for everyone to enjoy in the community. Not everyone is going to like it but if it causes conversation then you have succeeded,” Martin said.
PAW co-founder Judy Olinsky said the installations have contributed to downtown Williamsport’s revitalization.
“Public art makes the downtown more beautiful and tells the story of our community,” Olinsky said.
In addition to the mosaic, PAW is compiling a book featuring the public artworks created during its 20-year history. Graphic designer Lonnie Wilcox and photographer Rick Mason are assisting with the project, which is expected to be released in 2027.
The committee also plans to participate in future cultural development projects organized by Lycoming Arts, including a proposed cultural district and cultural trail.
“Lycoming Arts is working on a cultural district and cultural trail and PAW will bring public art to all these projects,” Olinsky said.
Current committee members include Martin, Olinsky, Yvonne Di Rocco, Maggie Furst, Sandy Hill, Laura Lee Janssen, Karen Miller, Rosann Pelleschi, Cindi Perry, Laura Templeton and Tania Thomas.
Martin credited the committee’s volunteers with sustaining its work over two decades.
“I have never seen a community that volunteers so much,” she said. “They have persevered through the years and have stayed steadfast. We are a better community because of their devotion to the committee.”
The public is invited to attend Monday’s unveiling.