Jamestown NY
Roger Tory Peterson Institute will cut the ribbon on a monumental mural celebrating the legacy of Roger Tory Peterson on Thursday, June 19 at 5:15pm at the Pearl City Arts Center.
Born and raised in Jamestown, NY, Peterson is renowned for his Peterson Field Guide to the Birds, which has inspired millions of people throughout the world to become passionate bird lovers. Rising five stories tall on the Pearl City Arts Center in downtown Jamestown, the mural – entitled “Take Flight”– depicts Roger, binoculars in hand, art brushes on his hip, surrounded by a swirl of some of the most iconic birds he painted, including an Eastern Bluebird, the state bird of New York.
in downtown Jamestown, the mural – entitled
“Take Flight”– depicts Roger, binoculars in hand, art
brushes on his hip, surrounded by a swirl of some of
the most iconic birds he painted, including an Eastern
Bluebird, the state bird of New York.
“Jamestown has a rich tradition of public art murals,” said Arthur Pearson, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. “I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Roger’s indelible impact on the world than with a monumentally-sized work of public art.”
To create the mural, RTPI commissioned artist Chuck Tingley, a Buffalo-based artist whose public art projects may be found throughout Western New York. “My vision,” said Tingley, “is that the mural be a vibrant celebration for the Jamestown community and its visitors, honoring Roger Tory Peterson and bringing awareness to RTPI’s vital mission: inspiring others to see, study, and protect the beauty of the natural world.”
Funding for the mural was generously provided by the Gebbie Foundation. RTPI is equally grateful to Cynthia and Mark Carlson of the Pearl City Arts Center, for their enthusiastic support for the project. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, June 19 at 5:15pm at the Pearl City Arts Center, located at 120 Foundry Alley, Jamestown. To add to the festivities, free commemorative cans of “Roger’s Root Beer” will be available, courtesy of Wicked Warren’s.
The ribbon cutting is the “Jump Start” to the monthly Third Thursday Jamestown event. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to remain downtown for free live music from 6 to 9 pm in the Winter Garden Plaza, located at 313 N Main Street. (Sponsored by Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Gebbie Foundation, LiveCHQ, Chautauqua County IDA and SitlerHQ.)
About RTPI – Home to the largest collection of Peterson’s original artwork, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is the living embodiment of the Peterson Field Guide. Through art exhibitions and programs, RTPI illuminates the beauty of nature, challenges us to confront the critical conservation challenges of our time, and inspires us to preserve the earth’s biodiversity. For more information, visit https://rtpi.org/.