‘An incredible effort’

New mural celebrates freedom, the past and the present

By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
Posted 6/21/22

HONESDALE, PA — “These ideas are truth, and the truth is ours.”

Mayor Derek Williams was speaking to a crowd at the old underpass at Honesdale’s Park Street Complex last …

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‘An incredible effort’

New mural celebrates freedom, the past and the present

Posted

HONESDALE, PA — “These ideas are truth, and the truth is ours.”

Mayor Derek Williams was speaking to a crowd at the old underpass at Honesdale’s Park Street Complex last Saturday. They were there to check out a new mural that celebrated the idea of freedom and the diverse people who sought it in Wayne County.

“It was an incredible effort on the behalf of so many people,” said Stourbridge Project maker-in-residence Lisa Glover.

“Truly this is a piece of the mindset of everyone who played a part in the mural,” said Honesdale High 10th-grader Cassie Ursich, who emceed the event. “Each piece has meaning.”

The mural is a spectrum. It is serious and lighthearted, historic and modern—the county in paint. Figures of the past share a wall with a UFO and a boroughscape and Pop Art-style images.

Dave Hartung, head of the Wayne County System of Care, talked about how their way of doing things—let the families lead—was reflected in the project. It morphed from a commemoration of the pandemic to a symbol of freedom. “It looks great,” he said. “It marks a more inclusive place for our community to enjoy.”

A multitude of people, such as the commissioners who first greenlighted the project and the borough officials and parks staff who helped it along, to community groups like the Cooperage and the Wayne County Community Foundation, to the people from toddlers to seniors who painted, were involved.

But the guiding light was held by the students. “Not only were these kids brilliant, but they all supported one another,” said Arrah Fisher, executive director of the Cooperage.

“The generation coming up behind us is looking very good,” said Williams, standing atop the underpass. “Dozens of people came together to add some color to this dark and dusty place... There are some cool stories here.” Historically, not everyone felt welcome in the world, “but they found freedom and love here.”

He was answered with cheers.

“This mural has been a long time coming,” said student Anna Brown, “but look where we are. We brainstormed a lot to make sure the mural represented everyone in Wayne County.”

Click here for more photographs from the unveiling.

Derek Williams, mural, Wayne County System of Care, Cooperage, Wayne County Community foundation, Honesdale Park Street, Wayne County

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