Thriving Futures 2

Public Art Projects

The Thriving Futures Mural Initiative is a collaborative project of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Smart Energy Choices program and Ithaca Murals, supporting artists' visions for a green and thriving future for our communities. During the warmer months of 2025, artists engaged in discussions with each other and community members about what a thriving future would look like, where people and the environment are healthy and there is clean, affordable energy for all. 18 murals were painted in public spaces throughout the 8-county Southern Tier region.

Featured below are murals by: Bethany Parisi, Brad Leiby, Coralee Mcnee, Crows Nest Artists, Cuba Leach, David Krantz and Richard Lowe, Dion Browne, Eric Bussart, Elle Yutsuk, Margalo, Meira Robertson, Mia Hause, Neko Bennett, Hancock Arts Alliance.

View the playlist of 5 video mural documentaries by Shira Golding Evergreen.

Thriving Futures Mural Initiative

Do you dream of a better world? Artists from the Southern Tier were asked to show us their vision of a Thriving Future. They responded with unique and impressive projects!

“Rising Ahead” is a mural that envisions a just and sustainable future where all people and environments thrive. Inspired by resilience and the power of skilled labor, the mural depicts a diverse group of non-traditional tradespeople—women, non-binary individuals, workers with disabilities, people of mixed heritage—collaborating to construct a phoenix from reclaimed materials. The phoenix, a universal symbol of renewal and transformation, represents both environmental sustainability and the strength of historically marginalized communities rising above systemic barriers.

The community paint day brought together over 50 people from various artistic backgrounds and multiple states to help with the painting. Many volunteers rode e-bikes to the community paint day, and the artist used supplies purchased through local businesses and second-hand stores.

Artist bio: Bethany Parisi is a self-taught folk artist raised in New England but now calls Ithaca, NY, home. 

“It wasn't until I found my main medium of wood carving that I became comfortable calling myself a practicing artist. I enjoy transferring this style to colorful murals with bold shapes and plenty of negative space. I am committed to preserving traditional folk art while adapting it for contemporary audiences. With each mural and each completed carving, I become more confident in my abilities and in my desire for carving out space for my work, pun intended.”

Artist bio: Brad Libey is an illustrator who loves bringing ideas to life, from big, colorful murals to versatile digital or printed artwork. 

“I enjoy exploring different mediums to tell stories that matter and brighten spaces with art that people can connect with.”

To create the “Together” mural, the artist worked with the farmer, Juliana Quaresma, to come up with the theme for the mural, and decided on a large focal word with images of hopping and romping sheep, trees that are part of the silvopasture system on her farm, and a marmoset—a nod to Juliana’s Brazilian roots—all in the style of a block print. The word pairings are meant to invite deeper thought about the ways in which we are all related. The message of interconnection in the mural relates to sustainable practices more broadly, which includes energy solutions as well.

Over 80 people were involved in the mural during three community paint days. It gave a meaningful and fun opportunity for neighbors to meet one another. 

Artist bio:  Coralee McNee is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Mecklenburg, New York, on Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼland. 

“I create visual identities, logos, merchandise, label designs, and illustrations for businesses and organizations that are building an abundant and regenerative world.”

A community of artists and visionaries created an uplifting scene for a neighborhood in Bath, New York, a village that is often overlooked. The mural found a home on an otherwise bare cement wall of a local, centrally located, agricultural center business, bringing life to a vacant space. 

Community get-togethers were held at two youth centers and the library to discuss the mural, sustainable energy, how people felt about it, what they knew, where they could see it in their lives and communities, and how they would represent this visually. 

“We have many positive interactions with local residents who enjoy having the mural brighten up their community. Even in its early stages, the fact that artists were working on the wall to create beauty in the neighborhood felt hopeful to the residents.”

Artist Bio: Crows Nest Artists Cooperative is a group of eclectic, maybe eccentric, but always very creative artists who have a vast range of styles, speeds, skills, or visions. Somehow, through trials and tribulations, laughter and tears, late nights and early mornings, they’re able to bring all this together to create beautiful work in their community.

"Welcome to the Upper Delaware” is a mural tribute to the region’s breathtaking landscapes and rich ecological significance. This work of art celebrates the natural beauty and environmental vitality that define the Upper Delaware region. Beyond its recreational and aesthetic value, the byway functions as an essential ecological corridor — supporting the seasonal migration and movement of birds, butterflies, fish, and other wildlife. It exists as both a cultural network and a living pathway that connects people with nature.

The installation of this mural serves as a reminder to both town officials and residents of Hancock’s vital connection to the byway, highlighting its ongoing role in promoting tourism, preserving natural assets, and creating a meaningful sense of place.

Artist bio: David Krantz is the program manager for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and a multidisciplinary artist whose history has spanned urban design, filmmaking, graphic design, and community development. 

Richard Lowe has proudly served as the chairperson for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) for the last three years. He donates his time to help the UDSB organization on behalf of the Town of Hancock in Delaware County.

Richard Lowe said, “The creation of the UDSB was driven by a dedicated group of community advocates who recognized the need to preserve and showcase this 70-mile stretch of roadway along the Delaware River. Their vision helped establish the byway not only as a scenic route for travelers but also as a vital contributor to the area's eco-tourism economy.”

The “Field of Fathers” mural celebrates unity, fatherhood, and the strength of community. The linked hands, painted in diverse skin tones, symbolize solidarity across differences, while the American flag represents shared identity and hope. Honoring Willie H. Owens and fathers everywhere, the artwork reminds us of the power of love, guidance, and collective responsibility.

During the mural process, many community members stopped by to offer kind words and encouragement, as well as snacks and refreshments. Pictures and historic facts about the field where the mural is located were shared by neighbors. Even the mayor stopped by.

Building on cultural traditions to create strong, resilient communities, Dion had the opportunity to promote Smart Energy Choices by engaging with locals during the painting process and sharing the initiative with the community through social platforms.

Artist bio: Dion specializes in contemporary illustration, fashion art, and logo design.

“My love for art started at age 9 when I got into comic books. ”

Modern life is busy and full of constant distractions, so we often take the beauty of nature around us for granted. Many people view themselves as separate from nature rather than part of it. "REUNITED" is about correcting that mindset. This visual celebration of local wildflowers reminds people of the beauty around them and encourages them to help sustain it. 

Public engagement was strong due to the area's high foot traffic. Several community members stopped by to assist with painting! Eric used the lower portions of the wall to teach young aspiring mural artists his process. They spent over ten hours each painting and learning on the wall, and both are credited there. They are now empowered to expand and improve their work. 

Lastly, the design's subject was replaced with a local community member to further its connection to the area.

Artist bio: Eric Bussart is an illustrator and mural artist based in Scranton, PA. He's been a full-time mural artist for the past 8 years andhas painted over 150 murals, ranging from small interior pieces to very large exterior pieces. 

“My work draws inspiration from graphic novels and comic books. I try to take the action-packed energy and dynamic feeling of these pulp art forms and transcend them to higher concepts of fine art in my paintings to tell stories and explain ideas in a vivid, exciting way.”

The “Flourishing” mural commemorates the everyday efforts of both local organizations and the people of Binghamton in their efforts to create a greener future for the planet, its past and present species, and their neighbors.

There were several elements of engagement, such as Doodle Day, Community Paint Day, and everyday conversations with strangers who also occasionally participated in the mural painting. Being near the bus station, the mural gets a lot of visibility from both locals and traveling visitors, and has even sparked conversation on sustainable practices such as using greener travel options.

Artist bio: Yelyzaveta “Elle” Yatsuk is a multimedia artist born in Ukraine and currently based in Binghamton, NY. 

“I started developing my skills with acrylic paint for several years and have explored other forms such as gouache, pastels, oil paints, and sculpture. My passion for the arts pursued me through many points of life, including traveling the country. I take every day as an opportunity to promote working together for an environmentally conscious, sustainable, and equitable future.”

The “Bloom” mural showcases native wildlife, particularly wetland creatures from the fen ecosystems of Groton, which are alkaline wetlands rich in minerals that foster biodiversity. Every species in this mural is native to the area and can be found growing specifically in Groton, NY. The mural idea was based on a story that Margalo’s grandmother told her about how the Cornell Botanic Gardens had purchased some land near her home in Groton because they were excited about preserving the unique flowers growing on the land. The purchase of the land by Cornell also protected it from fracking, as oil companies were then buying up many properties in upstate New York. These beautiful native flowers played a direct role in preserving the land they inhabit.

Margalo worked with 40 kids from Groton’s summer camp to choose which animals to add to the mural among the flowers. She taught them about the concept of native species and showed them photos of native flowers found on her grandma’s property in the town of Groton. On active paint days, people stopped by frequently to share their excitement about the mural design. 

Artist bio: Margalo is an emerging muralist based in upstate NY and central PA, born in 2005. 

“I love painting murals. My favorite part is how much it engages people!”

The three figures in the “Planting Seeds of Change” mural represent three strategies to build a more just future: healthy and sustainable living, multi-generational support and collaboration, and activism, which is near and dear to the folks at Truth Pharm. The plants and insects are all native to the region, including asters and purple coneflowers, which represent living in harmony with the natural environment as well as the idea of growth and planting seeds of change.

One of the most impactful experiences in creating this mural was how paint days brought community members together, leading to deeper conversations and support. Many individuals who participated in painting the mural expressed gratitude for the project, giving them an outlet or a distraction while dealing with struggles such as grief, houselessness, and recovery from substance use disorder. One community member shared that to him, this figure represents nurturing your community and building it up from the ground up.

Artist bio: Artist Mia Hause joined Truth Pharm in 2022 in the role of Community Arts Liaison, working to further incorporate the arts into Truth Pharm’s work and use art as a tool to make Truth Pharm’s work more accessible to the community. Mia is from Broome County and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Cornell University in 2022. 

Truth Pharm is a non-profit organization that seeks to reduce the harms of substance use by raising awareness, reducing the stigma, educating the public, and advocating for policy change. Founder and Executive Director Alexis Pleus is an artist and developed a color palette and artistic vision for the organization based on creating a welcoming, bright space that draws from mid-century modern artistic influences.

This barn side mural at Twilight Alpacas Farm features large hands knitting waterfalls and sewing rivers into a patchwork quilted countryside. “Stitch by Stitch” is a vibrant reminder that all aspects of our lives are woven into a much larger ecosystem. The sprawling imagery invites viewers to reflect on the origin, fabrication, and longevity of their clothing. 

Neko engaged with all 15 helpers and 30 visitors about the innate connections between small natural fiber farms and our local waterways.

“I have become great friends with Irene (fiber farm owner/tender extraordinaire) through the painting process and plan on continuing to visit her and the alpacas regularly!”

Artist bio: Painter, composer, fiber artist, herbalist, rock collector, and general maker of many things, Neko Bennett (they/them) is forever fascinated by the interactions between different art media and the natural world. Their murals, music compositions, and shape/sound installations have been on display from the streets and living rooms of Philadelphia to the forests and lakesides of upstate New York. Bennett's art practices aim to cherish the process and play as much as the product, and are driven by a desire to handcraft something deeply tactile and experiential for their community.

Working with local students over six months to piece together “Hancock - Chehocton or Wedding of the Waters,” which highlights the town’s indigenous and European history. The mural includes Native American eco-friendly and sustainable farming practices and Dutch and English settler wind technology for drilling, practices which are relevant to issues today. 

Community involvement was at the heart of this project. Students from Hancock Central School and the After School Program participated in hands-on painting sessions, learning artistic techniques while helping bring the mural to life. Partner businesses—including Bisbee Lumber & Supply, the Salvestrini Family, Keller Williams Jim Serios Team, and Strength Brokerage—took turns painting with their staff and families alongside the artists and students. These collaborative painting spaces created not only a meaningful public art installation but also a shared experience that bonded the town across generations and backgrounds. 

Richard Lowe said, “Your team has been just incredible to work with, and our community (which only had one mural of a 2-story fish) is forever changed by the three murals that we will now have on display”.

Artist bio: This mural unites diverse creative voices led by acclaimed hyperrealist Lisa Botto Lee, known for her emotive, classical oil works, and fashion designer Richard Lowe, celebrated for his bold, narrative-driven couture. Joining them are art graduate Stasia Andriopoulos, whose academic grounding shaped key visual elements, and art therapist Geraldine Walsh, who guided collaborative community engagement. Students from Hancock Central School and the After School Program infused the project with youthful vision and local pride. Together, they blended fine art, fashion, and education into a powerful, place-based artwork honoring Hancock’s heritage through collaborative creativity and masterful storytelling.

The “Just for Earth” mural features Lady Justice from the NY state flag. She holds her scales, which are growing flowers, and stands in a vibrant, beautiful nature scene. It reminds us to take care of our environment so that all can enjoy its beauty.

Alyssa Harding said, “Our favorite part of the mural experience was Day 1 of painting. We worked all day with a team of students who were supportive and respectful of Ruth's vision”.

A Community Energy Educator was present that evening and spoke with attendees about the Smart Energy Choices program.

Artist bio: Ruth Wilson & Alyssa Hardy are a student-teacher duo who bonded over their love for LEGO, ceramics, and good books. This is their first public art project. 

Alyssa Hardy has taught her entire 17-year career at Bainbridge-Guilford HS and loves connecting her students with new and exciting art opportunities.

The vision for a thriving future should include timeless themes of fun, safety, and optimism, all of which the artist attempted to capture in the “Bike Battle Kids” mural scene depicting children having fun on their bikes in an open grassy field. In the background, there is a tree full of green foliage, a basketball court, and nice, safe-looking houses on the horizon. Enveloping it all is a wispy blue sky. With many of the environmental changes occurring in our world in the present day, it is the artist’s hope that a thriving future preserves and extends this scene of outdoor play to future generations to come. For the artist, human power is the easiest aspect of sustainable energy to achieve, as illustrated by the motion and energy generated when pedaling a bike. The future should be one that is multi-modal and less dependent on fossil fuels.

The artists engaged the attendees of the Southside Community Center by providing them with t-shirts that carry images of the artist’s characters, Oli and Ernie, that are also featured in this mural and several others. The artists created a “how-to-draw” tutorial on their website to instruct visitors on how to draw Oli and Ernie in hopes that they carry the story of the two characters with them into the future. Participants got to know one another as people and artists through group interactive activities. The scouting of the mural led the artists to collaborate with multiple people in the area to find the perfect location — an after-school program center.

Artist bio: Sam is an active artist located in Elmira, NY.  

“My art focuses on contemporary painting and illustration, but I have also explored the range of creative pursuits, from poetry to film. I consider myself an artist because of the existential drive for me to create. My typical subjects include modern social issues, controversial figures, and original character design. I have shown my work in solo and group shows, and have participated with my audience through workshops and live paintings. I am also an active mural artist, having done public large-scale works and private commissions.”

Created by students in the New Roots Charter School Public Art class and guided by lead artist Terrance Vann, the “To the Future” reflects a collective vision of environmental justice and community resilience. Drawing inspiration from the Solar Punk movement, students imagined a future Ithaca where renewable energy, biodiversity, and social equity are intertwined. The design process was student-led from concept development to painting, highlighting youth leadership in shaping a more sustainable and just world. The mural stands as a statement of hope, collaboration, and responsibility.

“One of the most inspiring parts of this project was watching students step into their creative power. Under Terrance’s guidance, they grew more and more confident with experimenting boldly, sharing ideas, and trusting their own voices”,  said Patrick Lynch, CCE Tompkins Youth Energy Educator, who was instrumental in bringing the students together for this project. 

Artist bio: Vann, an award-winning afro-surrealist painter from Wilmington, DE, uses his vibrant style to spark creative solutions to real-world challenges. The students matched that energy with their own — blending art, environmental justice, and big-picture dreaming into a shared vision of the future. Together, they proved that when youth creativity meets community collaboration, murals can do more than brighten walls; they can plant ideas that grow.

The “Flying Towards the Future” mural depicts butterflies that represent what a “Thriving Future” looks like. The hands (one representing night, one day), reaching towards the butterflies, represent hope that comes with each new day. Endangered flora were added along the bottom of the mural. 

Tori said, “We get many plants that naturally grow along this back wall, and I love that they are able to become an additional part of the artwork as they grow.”

Each student created a butterfly design that exemplified what a “thriving future” would look like to them. Some of them kept it simple with patterns, while others recreated endangered butterflies, and many created detailed, out-of-the-box designs that exude a hope for a better future.

Artist bio: Tori is an elementary school art teacher based out of Corning, NY.  She had around 70 5th-grade students design and paint one butterfly in the mural over the course of multiple weeks.