In a city known for its creativity and activism, the presence of artists and muralists couldn’t be made more clear. What began as a small effort with just fifteen murals has grown into a vibrant network of more than four hundred works of public art across Ithaca. At the center of this transformation is Ithaca Murals, a community-driven initiative that blends art, education, and social impact.
For Social Justice Week, IHS was lucky enough to hear from a founder of the organization, Caleb Thomas. He shared images and background stories of various murals around town, surely barely scratching the surface of what’s there. It is a beautiful sight to see how these murals have uplifted women, people of color, religious people in the midst of religion-based warfare (Israel-Gaza) and so many more. He also talked about Ithaca Murals’ origin story involving Ithaca High School students wanting to change State Street to Martin Luther King Street. At the time, the city’s public spaces, streets and parks, largely reflected a history shaped by and honoring privileged white figures. After bargaining with city leaders as well as facing backlash from some residents, the students were able to get the street dual-named, as you will still see both street names labeled.
Thomas discussed all the opportunities available to young artists, extensions of murals completed side by side or entirely by young people. Through collaborative projects, students and local artists have designed and created murals that reflect their experiences and deliver their voices and lost ones to the world. For anyone willing to persevere to get permission from the Planning and Development Division at City Hall to paint in a public space, muraling is open for anyone who wants it. Beginning with the transformation of private walls and spaces is very easy and just takes an idea!
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