As COVID-19 was raging back in 2020, Dripped On The Road, a traveling artist residency program, brought 14 murals to Indiana, Pennsylvania. Within two weeks, the artists transformed the town’s visual landscape, while embracing and uplifting its residents. In the course of their remarkable residency, they learned first-hand about Indiana’s distinct history and painted murals that utterly reflected it.
Featuring resident artists Damien Mitchell, Sarah Rutherford, Evan Lovett, Riiisa Boogie, along with program directors and artists Ramiro Davaro-Comas, Jonathan Neville and Denton Burrows, the acclaimed documentary “Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” — directed by OWLEY Studios — chronicles these two weeks.
Not only did the seven artists uplift the town’s spirit and enhance its appearance, but they also conducted workshops with youth using non-toxic spray paint and upcycled materials. And they planted trees that “will live on even after the murals are gone.” Sustainable painting practices and environmental responsibility are essential, the documentary affirms, to Dripped On The Road‘s mission. We are cautioned that one needs to be mindful of the environment when painting public art.
“Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” brilliantly captures the mutual respect and appreciation that developed between the artists and the members of the Indiana community as the project evolved. The artists clearly “felt the pulse of the people,” and the Indiana residents showered them with gratitude in return.
Founded in 2016, Dripped On The Road artists have have painted over 100 murals and traveled over 12,000 miles.“Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” is a moving, impressive ode to its multiple missions and a particular paean to this distinctly vital project. It is also a model for public art that too often becomes too commercial.
Note: The NYC public premiere of “Small Town Big Canvas: An Indiana, PA Story” was held on April 27 at the Anthology Film Archives, featuring resident artists Damien Mitchell, Sarah Rutherford, Evan Lovett and Riiisa Boogie, followed by a Q & A moderated by UP Magazine editor T. K. Mills. We are looking forward to further showings in the NY metropolitan area.
Images:
- The crew in front of Denton Burrows‘ mural
- Evan Lovett
- Sarah Rutherford
- Damien Mitchell
- Riiisa Boogie
- Jonathan Neville w/ Indiana, PA youth
- Damien Mitchell
Post by Lois Stavsky and and City-as-School intern Antonio Gomez; all photos courtesy Dripped On The Road.
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