Sodus Chamber Mural under way

The Sodus Chamber of Commerce Mural Project is well underway. After looking through hundreds of historical post cards from Steve Heald’s collection, the committee selected 8 different scenes. Our Town of Sodus’s history as represented by images of each village and hamlet within Sodus as a demonstration of the unity in our township. The Hamlet of Joy is represented by the Joy Schoolhouse, the Hamlet of Wallington is represented by the Cobblestone School House, the Methodist Cobblestone Church is still in use in Alton, and the Hamlet of Sodus Center is represented by the Brick Church. The Hamlet of South Sodus was the home of the lime kiln depicted and of course the historical and well known Sodus Point Lighthouse. Also shown is the trolley barn in the Village of Sodus, and to symbolize our agriculture there is a depiction of a hand operated orchard sprayer circa 1900.
The site selection was the next step and through the generosity of Richard Santelli, the mural will be place on the side of the building on the north west corner of Main and Maple in the Village of Sodus. Locally born artist James Zeger will be painting the 8’ by 12’ mural starting around July and will be aided by Sodus Central High School art students. Plans are being made to have the mural on display during its creation so the public can see the progress. This mural will be our town’s 5th outdoor mural project, with about as many indoor murals as well. It is a piece of the larger picture of the community art initiative in Wayne County since there are presently 30 outdoor murals throughout the County.
Dedication of the Sodus mural is scheduled to occur in August 2015. Committee members are: Jim Hopkins, Sandra Hamilton, Steve Heald, Bruce Farrington, Mary Jane Mumby, Patty Paprocki, MaryAnn Riker, and James Zeger. Gene Bavis and Mark DeCracker are active consultants in this project and also heading up the 2016 the Global Mural Conference that will be hosted in the Finger Lakes area (for more information on the conference see www.MuralMania.org).
The estimated budget for this project is approximately $4800. Sodus Committee will be sponsoring this project with a donation of $500. Whether you are “new” to Sodus, an old established family or business, or just interested in history, the Chamber is asking for your support. Any donation would be appreciated, but at the $25 a square foot level your name will be listed on the donor appreciation plaque, and the $200 a square yard level will be listed in larger letters. Should you wish to become an actual part of the mural, your likeness (or family member) can be added for $250 but space is limited to only 8 images. The Committee would love to work with any corporate sponsors and their suggestions for recognition. (Any monies not used on this mural will be put toward the next one!)
Residents are asked join in to be a part of Sodus history. The donation form may be found on the Chamber’s website atsodusny. For more information contact the Sodus Chamber at 315-576-3818 or email chamber14551@yahoo.com.