The two most recent FFRPL-supported mural projects included Shawn Dunwoody’s new portrait of Frederick Douglass at the Frederick Douglass Branch (completed December 2023) and new interior murals at the Wheatley Branch (installed March 2024).
Frederick Douglass Branch original brick exterior: above, left; original Dunwoody mural from 2018: above, center; new version: above, right.
New Wheatley Branch interior murals, above.
The mural (above, left) focuses on the connection between the community and nature. The child is a library patron, the plants and fruit are found in the edible garden around the library, and the Barn Owl is a species that lives in Rochester and in Phillis Wheatley’s home country of Gambia.
The mural (above, right) represents Phillis Wheatley’s culture of Gambia. The eclipse relates to her poems that often refer to the moon and sun.
Thanks to the talented youth artists from Roc Paint Division who created the mural: Callisto Daly, Rain Lehner, Sodaba Khalil, Taylor Markham, Nathaniel Smith , Shaniece Johnson, Cassandra Orellana, Daniela Manivong, and Brody Malone-Bonnaci.
Story Walk at the Sully Branch Library (left and center); former Mayor Warren (right)
In 2019, FFRPL helped fund and manage the creation of the Story Walk @ Beechwood at the Thomas P. Ryan R-Center and Sully Branch Library (with support from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation).
Douglass descendants in front of the murals painted at the entrance to the Frederick Douglass Community Library; one local boy ‘fist bumps’ Frederick Douglass on his way to school every day; building facade
In 2018, FFRPL helped fund and manage the creation of the murals at the Frederick Douglass Community Library (with support from the Chase Joseph Rippey Trust).
Arnett Branch Library ‘book spine’ murals; Site Supervisor Bruce Tehan
Since 2017, FFRPL has helped fund and manage the ongoing development of the unique ‘book spine,’ murals at the Arnett Branch (with support from neighborhood donations). The Arnett Branch Library book spines mural originated in 2017, thanks to a donation to FFRPL by Karen D’Agostino in loving memory of her mother, Violet Keating. It was created by artists Richmond Futch, Chloe Smith and Ebony Singleton. The mural proved so popular that donations by Rochester Pedal Tours, His Branches Inc., a local book club, and Richmond Futch himself have resulted in even more scenes and characters from literature adorning the building.
The four-year Arnett mural project was completed Fall 2021. Read the City Newspaper article here.
Central Library murals before (l) just cement; with color blocking (center); finished (r)
In 2016, FFRPL helped fund and manage the creation of Central Library’s murals surrounding the Dorris Carlson Reading Garden in the B&L Library building.
