The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY, January 10, 2013: Green Door Magazine, a driving force for responsible living throughout the Hudson Valley, received the go-ahead from the property owner to launch a public art project on Main Street Liberty to engage the community in the future of a major building in Liberty’s historic downtown district.

The wooden shell that serves to protect passersby from the ongoing construction will become a communication wall where individuals can express their goals and aspirations for the project and the community. There will also be outreach to include the Latino community in the project.

“As a resident of Liberty, I have tried to create an environment where people can feel closer to the many projects designed to improve the look and growth of Liberty,” said Akira Ohiso, President of Green Door. “I look to encourage others to see the opportunities for business expansion and personal expression within Sullivan County,” he added.

Stephanie Eisenberg owns the property on South Main Street and plans for the renovated theatre to become a performance space in addition to having a local retail presence. Construction work is expected to be completed by Summer 2013.

The interactive art installation which will begin this month, is comprised of chalkboard paint over the wood planking, stencils, spray paint, and chalk for residents and visitors to express their thoughts.

Heinrich Strauch of the Liberty Community Development Corp. said, “I love this project for its artistic and community-based involvement. I have worked with Akira on the Community Garden on Main Street and appreciate his and Green Door’s dedication to making our communities live up to their full potential.”

The project is based upon artist Candy Chang’s “Before I Die” series, a global art project that invites people to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in public space. This project was started by Candy Chang on an abandoned house in New Orleans after she lost someone she loved. The history of her project can be found at: beforeidie.cc. The project has since spread worldwide and walls have been created by communities in Mexico, the Netherlands, Australia, and beyond.

The Liberty wall will say in English and Spanish: I would like to see this storefront become … (Quisiera que este establecimiento se convirtiera en …) and is one of the first efforts that reflects the multinational character of the Village of Liberty.

About Green Door
Green Door Magazine is “a Journal of Responsible Living,” and profiles artists, residences, food, wine, local farms, events and the evolution of transplanted city-dwellers. Its editorial vision is that living away from big cities, does not mean losing important values and elements of a responsible lifestyle. Green Door serves a readership of local Catskill and Hudson Valley residents, visitors and second-home owners, primarily based in and around Metro New York City. It is available by subscription, and for sale at newsstands and retailers in New York City and its suburbs, and is distributed throughout the Hudson Valley. Its readers have supported socially responsible and environmental issues as expressed in the publication.