The Catskill Chronicle

Pictured left to right are teachers Coulter Young and Nancy Lee, resident artist Rick Young, students Stacy Oviedo, Lauren Elliott, Jillian Alexander and Andrea Zalkin; standing are Edward and George Cooke, sons of Judge Lawrence Cooke. – Provided photo

FALLSBURG, NY – In December 2009, the Fallsburg Central School District (FCSD) received a Y2010 Arts Partners Challenge Grant from New York State Council for the Arts and ArtsWestchester in the amount of $2000. With matching funds provided by the District, the Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School Art Department created a wonderful mural depicting important people and moments in Sullivan County history. Art Department Chair Ms. Nancy Lee made the initial contact for the grant, and she met with fellow art teacher Mr. Coulter Young and Director of Special Programs and Public Relations Mr. Larry Schafman in early October to develop the project and apply for the grant.  Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Mr. Matthew Evans offered the District’s support to the application.

The most important piece was bringing muralist Mr. Rick Price on board to work with the Fallsburg students. Coulter Young knew of Mr. Price’s great work with young people in murals adorning walls and galleries in Newburgh and in his hometown of Beacon. He was more than enthusiastic to join the team. 

Over 30 students worked on the mural from January through June 2010.  Some of the key artists were Jillian Alexander, Stacy Oviedo, Jonathan McCoy, Andrea Zalkin, Lauren Elliott, Nathaniel Payton, and Olivia McCarthy. The students learned a lot about the county from visits to the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville. From their sketches of photographs in the archives, they developed the key elements of the mural depicting the history from Native American tepees to the wind turbines located at Sullivan County Community College (SCCC). At the heart of the mural is a portrait of Judge Lawrence Cooke, who seems to be keeping a watchful and judicious eye over all he perceives.

The young artists created an incredible work of art under the direction and guidance of Mr. Price. He did very minimal hands-on painting himself.  He encouraged the students to learn techniques and to skillfully apply sketches and paint on the plywood panels themselves. He said that of all the young people he has worked with, these Fallsburg students were very special right from the moment he met them. He would love to continue his association with the school district for future projects.

Ms. Lee, Mr. Young, Mr. Price, and their fine students deserve great praise for thinking of this project and bringing it to a successful conclusion. The mural will soon be beautifying the lobby at the main entrance to Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.