Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - An effort to transform Syracuse is underway near the west side and downtown areas. It's called
"A Love Letter to Syracuse", and includes hand-painted murals on train bridges in an effort to bridge the nearby communities, and encourage bonding between neighborhoods.
The text-based artwork is commissioned by the
Near West Side Initiative and is being painted by nationally known artist
Steve Powers. Powers began his work painting graffiti illegally in New York City and Philadelphia.
Legally, Powers has worked in Tokyo, Japan; Venice, Italy; Liverpool, England; San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York City and elsewhere.
Near West Side Initiative Director Maarten Jacobs says bringing Powers to Syracuse took a lot of work. "For about the last year, we've been working with the railroad company, the City, and most recently the artist," he said.
Before Powers ever dipped his brush in paint, he canvassed the community and spoke with residents. He asked them what they liked and didn't like about the area and then sprinkled his own style into his final plan.
The goal of the project is to beautify train bridges in Syracuse in a style reminiscent of the history of text-based ads on the sides of bridges. Friday, artists were working to complete the phrase "I paid the light bill just to see your face," on a bridge over Fayette Street.
Along West Street, one side of the bridge now reads, "Nothing to do is everything with you." The other side is inspired by the four seasons of Central New York, and reads, "Spring comes, summer waits, fall leaves, winter longs."
Jacobs said feedback from the community has been positive. "What we love about Steve's work is that it makes people think," he said.
