Center members began fundraising via a GoFundMe account. Generous donations from local citizens and a LSCFTA board member encouraged us to continue. A $1,000 grant from The Westfield Fund was secured in the spring of 2022.

After much discussion, the committee chose graphic designer Wendy Santilli to design the mural with a unique local flare. Santilli’s design encompasses the iconic Barcelona lighthouse, Lake Erie, boating, Concord grapes and Rhododendron in a bright colorful vision.

Artist Sharri Gollnitz and her carefully chosen team of artists will bring the vision to life this summer.

Work on the building wall of Stoves and Stuff on Union Street facing Main Street behind Community Bank began last summer with cement repair and power washing. This month, the final prep work began by Tyler Pitts of Drywall, Trim and Paint.

Submitted Photo Tyler Pitts of Drywall, Trim and Paint removing the letter glue and priming

Center officials said Pitts was chosen by the committee because of his expertise and enthusiasm to be part of a project to improve the community.

“We are grateful that we will be able to provide some compensation to our artists,” members said. “This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the Support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Services Inc.”