Splashes of Hope wraps Heckscher Park building in murals with a local touch

Whimsical, historical, bilingual, fun and happy: That’s how those associated with murals painted on a building in Heckscher Park described the recently unveiled art project.

The murals — featuring familiar facets of life in Huntington — are painted with vibrant colors on all four sides of the restroom facilities building next to the playground at the park, located on Prime Avenue.

A Huntington-based nonprofit that's dedicated to brightening the world through painting murals — typically with an emphasis on beautifying social service and medical centers, according to its website — led the project. It hopes to inspire and uplift visitors by depicting nature, harmony and community.

“The theme was community,” said Elizabeth Knabe, director of that nonprofit, Splashes of Hope. “Each wall represents a different aspect of the Huntington community.”

There’s the “Be Helpful Wall,” with bees. And the wall that shows gardening, the concert bandshell at Heckscher Park and views of Huntington Harbor. The back wall features depictions of a day in the life of the town’s senior center. The remaining side is a game of I Spy, with a legend in both English and Spanish, where visitors can work to see if they spot notable local landmarks such as the Huntington Lighthouse.

A landmark park

The park is a local landmark itself. It was established as a private park in 1917 and has been under the stewardship of the town since 1954. It's home to the Heckscher Museum, a pond surrounded by a walking path and the town's 9/11 memorial.  

Four lead artists supported by about two dozen volunteers took about six weeks to complete the project, the latest public art project in one of Huntington's parks.

In September, the town unveiled an installation honoring Black history and culture at Fair Meadow Park on the corner of Park Avenue and Pulaski Road.

The piece celebrates notable Black figures with ties to the community, including Jupiter Hammon, John Coltrane, Booker T. Washington and Huntington’s first Black police officer, Richard H. Robertson III.

Grace Barrett is a retired art teacher and has been a volunteer muralist with Splashes of Hope since 2019. She was the lead artist on the Heckscher Park mural that features the senior center. Her goal was to show the programing the center offers, like art and exercise, and also to depict joyful aspects like the senior beach house, and friendship.

“I hope that people take away the fact that seniors in the Town of Huntington are not forgotten at all," she said. "They have voice here; they are a creative community and add wisdom and vibrancy to this particular space as well as others and have value within this community.”

Hotel / motel tax-funded

The project was funded with money Suffolk County collects through the hotel/motel tax.

The Hotel/Motel Tax Grant Program gives each legislator a share to use in their district for such things as beautification, promotion of tourism in Suffolk, preservation, maintenance and support of county museums and historical sites. The money also can be used to support unique natural areas managed by the county parks department and general park purposes, according to Legis. Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) and county documents.

“The money helps bring art to the community,” said Bontempi, whose district includes Heckscher Park. “These particular murals bring joy and color and beautify a plain, concrete restroom building. They bring a smile to your face.”

She said the town recommended the Heckscher Park building for the murals.

Her office gave Splashes of Hope $9,100. The office of colleague Legis. Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), whose district is adjacent to hers, gave $5,000.

Sanin said Splashes of Hope brings beauty, inspiration and healing to the community through the “transformative power” of art. She said the “vibrant mural — capturing the charm and spirit of Huntington — is a shining example of how creativity can uplift and unite us.”

Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said transforming the plain cinderblock building that no one noticed into something that stands out is one of the benefits of public art.

“Public art provides two distinct functions,” he said. “It creates a focal point for visitors to our parks and public spaces to enjoy. And secondarily, it transforms existing buildings and structures in the park from ordinary to extraordinary.”