Owego Rotary Club is volunteering to help complete parts of the Owego Animals Mosaic, working with the Tioga Arts Council, to help beautify part of our town!
The Owego Animal Mosaic project, spearheaded and managed by Tioga Arts Council (TAC) will be
installed at 57 North Avenue and will brighten up the alleyway leading to The Joshua House. The animals selected for the project are all native to New York State, and represent various local wildlife. They include Osprey, Woodchuck, Eastern Newt, Golden Shiner and One-Eye Sphinx Moth (the first letters of each spelling out “Owego”). Two years ago, The Joshua House representatives approached the arts council about a mural project to improve the alley leading to the entrance of the facility. The Joshua House is a non-profit outreach center with the hope of transforming lives. Its goals are to inspire, teach and strengthen the youth and adults in the community through improving life skills, mentoring healthy life-style changes, and introducing values.
According to Americans for the Arts, public art and murals have the ability to create
identity, improve the well-being of those who help create it and those who observe it, enhance
the physical environment, help reduce crime and make high-quality art freely accessible to the
public. While The Joshua House is the impetus for this project, its impact will benefit the whole
community.
Artist Emily Jablon has been leading the way to create the mosaic. Emily is an award-winning community artist raised in Binghamton, New York. She specializes in mosaic and glass work. She currently runs art classes from her local studio and is a leader in the Binghamton arts community. Her various public works projects have transformed the city, creating an arts culture for residents and visitors to enjoy. Emily has been guiding a group of Owego Rotary members in assembling each of the animal mosaics. As of November 8, 2024, the following alley improvements have occurred under TAC and Rotary Board Member, Michael Poe: brick cleaning and priming, painting, and light installation. Volunteers continue to complete the animal mosaics and everyone is looking forward to the final product. Stay tuned!!
