Tioga Arts Council (TAC) and Historic Owego Marketplace (HOM) are pleased to announce a series of community-based arts initiatives to brighten the Village of Owego this holiday shopping season. Join us on Friday, December 4 between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., to enjoy First Friday and the following:
Community Art Banners
Each year, visitors to downtown Owego are greeted with Lights on the River Banners hung throughout town. However, to promote safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, this beloved event was canceled. Bradley Crews, President of HOM, reached out and proposed partnering on community banner campaign. Crews states: “What makes the Village of Owego magical during the Holiday Season is the community itself and the feeling of small-town America that still exists here. We are thrilled that our community members will be represented all over town with art created by our local artists, families, and community groups.”
This year, the traditional Lights on the River Banners have been replaced with custom community art banners created. Christina Di Stefano, Executive Director at Tioga Arts Council (TAC), states: “The arts have always been essential to Owego – enlivening its historic downtown, contributing to the vibrancy of our community, and enhancing the quality of life of its residents and visitors. Now more than ever, the arts are needed. By partnering with HOM in this community art project, we hope it brings color and joy to downtown Owego this holiday season.”
There are 27 banners decorating Front and Lake Streets, and the guiding theme is “Winter Wonderland”. Below is the list of participating individuals and families:
- Kathye Arrington
- The Ousterhouts
- Susan Camin
- Alayna & Ronald Pasto
- Carolyn Campbell
- Ann Pellegrino
- Donna Cheresnowski
- Betty Pellicano
- The Di Stefanos
- The Sagor Family
- Michael Husted
- Peggy Sayers & Granddaughter, Penny O.
- The Jacksons
- The Schleider Family (2)
- Suzanne M. Lachman
- Camden Thole
- Carol Livermore
- Harlow Thole
- Mary Mack
- Maxx Thole
- Braelea McLaren
- Owego Rotary Club
- Michelle McLaren
- Nikki Corgel
- The Discovery Center
- Alice Mischke
- Zoie & Heidi Mosher
A special thanks Carolyn Campbell and Suzanne M. Lachman, The Walk-Up Gallery & Studio Space, and Brandon Smith, Scott, Smith & Son, Inc., for preparing the banners for use and to Ahwaga Paint & Floor Covering for donating a portion of materials for the project.
Decorated Empty Storefronts
As part of the Tioga County Strategic Economic Recovery Plan, TAC has initiated a special project: decorating the windows of vacant storefronts in downtown Owego. While TAC wants businesses to be successful, our hope is to help beautify empty windows throughout Tioga County’s downtown districts during the recovery period and as needed in the future.
