Artful Inspirations Around Us
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SPROCKET MURAL WORKS
Artist Aron Kylene Rook at her mural on the side of the new Zeroday.
Mural, mural on the wall: Harrisburg’s outdoor art proliferates along a planned trail By Christina Heintzelman
cheintzelman@benchmarkmediallc.com
T
he intersection of Calder and 3rd streets features a can’t-miss who works as creative director for The Burg monthly magazine. huge Necco Wafer purple wall along with a darker purple “In 2019, we had 370 people apply during our request for artists’ ampersand (&) along the east side of Calder. This mural on proposals,” said Caruso, explaining that the platform they use spreads the side of the local Sayford Market was one of the first murals to be the word far and wide. “These artists are international, national and painted for the 2017 Mural Art Festival in Harrisburg through Sprocket local.” Along with a group of Harrisburg artists who select the winners, Mural Works. Would the general public consider this to be art? It sure the community can also get involved by voting for a particular mural for is and this is why: The artist, Craig Welsh, who is a graphic designer and their area of the city. The process starts with the board looking around architect, wanted to create a mural about inclusion and friendship. He the city for available walls to paint, contacting the building owners, and has succeeded. Many people stop at this mural then polling the community for ideas. with a friend or family member for a photo op. “There are always four things that people “Sprocket Mural Works has been a Think of it this way: You & me, me & my dog, tremendous addition to Harrisburg, are attracted to when asked about their mural me & some neighbors. preferences: The first is nature, the second is Harristown, and the community by Sprocket Mural Works has existed in some animals, the third is people, and the fourth is bringing a love of the city and love bright colors,” Caruso said. form since 2014. In 2017, the president of the of the community for public art.” organization, Megan Caruso, along with her One of the recurring sponsors for the mural Board of Directors, came up with an idea — — Brad Jones, President and CEO of project is Harristown Enterprises, which has what if they could do 10 murals in 10 days in sponsored at least a half a dozen murals. “Sprocket Harristown Enterprises various locations in Harrisburg. What emerged Mural Works has been a tremendous addition from this was 18 murals in 10 days just in time for their Harrisburg to Harrisburg, Harristown, and the community by bringing a love of the Mural Festival in September of 2017. city and love of the community for public art,” said Brad Jones, President “Sprocket Mural Works has a small board and a huge number of and CEO of Harristown Enterprises. “I could not be happier as to how it volunteers, 500 at last count, who help prepare and prime walls for has all turned out. We are dealing with extremely talented people who are artists, and provide other help as we need it,” said Caruso, an artist quite skilled in identifying artists. It has been a pleasure to build a reservoir 52 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE JUNE 2021