BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Community Lab will host a talk and discussion titled, "Department of Public Art" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Lost Dog Café Violet Room, 222 Water St. in Binghamton. This event is free and open to the public.

The Department of Public Art (DPA) was created with the intent of promoting public art in the Binghamton area. The primary focus is the enhancement and beautification of the public realm through the installation of art. The goal is to re-awaken a sense of pride in the Binghamton area through the development of a citywide mural project. DPA also strives to enhance the visual appearance of the city, mitigate blight and celebrate the area’s history and diversity. Guest speaker Mark Bowers, associate capital program analyst for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), will explore these ideas.

Bowers is also the regional pedestrian/bicycle coordinator for the NYSDOT Region and has worked in the Regional Planning and Program Management Office for over 25 years. As a founding member of the Department of Public Art (DPA), Bowers devotes a majority of his free time working with this group. The DPA, an ad hoc group of art enthusiasts, grew from the Downtown Commission, specifically the Visual Enhancement Committee, which recognized the importance of public art. 

Bowers has worked with Binghamton University graduate Kady Perry, the PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholars and Project Renew. The partnership produced a mural on the floodwall along the Chenango River Promenade at the corner of Water and Eldridge Sts. in Binghamton.

The Binghamton Community Lab is a gathering place for citizen investigators to create and support improvements that will grow a healthier, wealthier and strong Binghamton region. The series, held regularly on the third Tuesday of each month will be facilitated by David Sloan Wilson, SUNY distinguished professor of biology and anthropology at Binghamton University and founder of the Binghamton Neighborhood Project, and David Currie, director of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition.

For additional information, contact Hadassah Head at evos@binghamton.edu.