In the summer of 2010 I was given the opportunity to design, organize, and art direct the West Gilgo Mural Project. The mural is a 10′ high x 240′ two sided tunnel. That’s 120′ per side. I enlisted the help of 7 local artist/friends to help me paint this mural which took 5 days. The entire project was filmed directed and edited by John Bragino and the West Gilgo documentary was created…….

The West Gilgo Documentary: Please enjoy this short documentary that highlights and celebrates the time we spent creating this mural. Enjoy!!

Project Mission Statement: Create a mural utilizing volunteerism and creativity to bring the community together and create a source of pride and beauty at West Gilgo. Change the underpass area from its current state (wasted space, eye sore, drain on the community) to a source of culture, creativity, & community involvement.

Design statement: As you enter the tunnel and walk down the right side you’ll notice the LEFT WALL which is side one of the mural and intended to be viewed first. Winter is breaking and birds are beginning to reappear on the trees. As the scene progresses spring comes into full view with fish swimming towards the ocean. As they approach summertime they gather in celebration. Swimming fish become tribal in nature flattening out on the wall and becoming graffiti like in design. As side one ends the fish begin to morph back and swim upward high into the water getting smaller as they approach the sky. By the time they reach side two they’re swimming low again amidst a coral reef. THE RIGHT wall shows fall emerging into an abstract configuration of mermaid like forms that meet head to head with the birds fleeing the impending winter heading towards warmer and greener pastures. As fall turns into winter and the experience of the seasons comes to a close your met with an archway of twisted trees on the ceiling and a lone bird pointing your way back home.

Participating artists: Peter Bragino, John Bragino, Kevin Corcoran, Lisa Distefano, Christine Kane, Jeff Slack, Jennifer Quinn, Sonia Vera-Leon

The Tunnel

“I’d like to thank all the people that helped make this happen. My sincere gratitude for all the effort you put in to help me make this mural a reality..”