SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Leaning against a street pole, a monster’s smirking grin looks out on passersby.
The monster isn’t dangerous, though. In fact, it’s a work of art along Syracuse’s West Jefferson Street and one of multiple installations through a public art program that turns utility boxes into colorful designs.
The monster is the work of Tommy Lincoln, a local artist and owner of Stay Fresh, a design agency and art gallery on Syracuse’s Westside. Lincoln has been an artist for as long as he can remember, and his experience in graffiti made it easy to turn a piece of urban imagery and transform it into something unique.
“Having painted on those and drawn on those for a long time, I know what kind of surface I’m working with,” said Lincoln. “I think that only took a couple of days.”
Lincoln was commissioned by the Downtown Syracuse Foundation through its “Unboxed: Utility Box Art Project” program. Becca Flint, the Community Relations Manager for the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, said the idea for the program started a few years ago to showcase local artists’ work in a new medium.
“Other communities had done utility box art, taking blank canvases, basically,” said Flint. “We got grant funding from a couple different organizations and were able to put out a call to the community to submit their designs.”
Flint said it was not difficult to find artists.
“Syracuse is fortunate enough to have an amazing art scene, so there’s a lot of great local artists,” said Flint.
Of the ten utility box locations, four make direct references to Central New York. On South Franklin Street, a bird encourages drivers to “Keep Syracuse Salty.” On South Warren Street, Salt Potatoes float along the Erie Canal. It’s a way of integrating the culture of Syracuse into the city’s art scene.
Since the program started a few years ago, Flint says it has been well received.
“Every time, people are like ‘these are so cool’ — they’re all very different,” said Flint. “Some of them are super local to Syracuse, and some of them are just interesting designs.”
The program has had three rounds so far, though Flint says it’s likely more designs will make their way onto the streets.
“We try to do a couple a year because there’s a lot of utility boxes that can be done, but it makes it more special if we only just do a couple a year,” said Flint.
While providing public art around the city, the program also gives local artists the opportunity to have their work seen by the community. Lincoln says he was able to interact with people while painting — bringing a unique element of interaction into the work.
“It’s always good to be out there painting and hearing community feedback,’ said Lincoln.