Eye-Fooling Poughkeepsie Mural To Be Dedicated Thursday

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- The public is welcome to attend the dedication of the newly restored Garden Street mural, on Thursday, Aug. 18.

"Please join us to celebrate the newest, brightest and freshest addition to downtown Poughkeepsie," the city notes in a news release. Join Mayor Rob Rolison, First Ward Councilman Chris Petsas and other local officials.

The mural, claimed to be the biggest in Dutchess County, is 45 feet high and 75 feet wide. It features a trompe-l'oeil painting style -- French for "deceive the eye." Only a few of the scene's windows are real.

It was originally painted in 1990, by Rhode Island artist Johan Bjurman, and it had been in danger of simply being stuccoed over, as it had fallen into disrepair. But artist and muralist Franc Palaia convinced the owner that restoration was the best route.

Palaia worked through June and July to revive the mural's vivid colors and details, with the help of the city's façade program.

The dedication event will run from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday. The mural is located at 27 Garden Street, behind the outdoor municipal multilevel parking garage.

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