Art project brings Gettysburg’s west side community together
By Cheryl Sobun
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| Photo courtesy of Adams County Historical Society |
Because the Lincoln Cemetery is so understated, unknown, and far removed from the tourist attractions in town, the three colorful monument murals across the street are the most likely objects to capture visitors’ attention. The murals’ creator, Ophelia Chambliss of York, says if her artwork draws people to the Lincoln Cemetery, then “it is doing its job.”
The making of the murals began with the Adams County Arts Council (ACAC). When the ACAC moved from its Carlisle Street location to its new address on Gettysburg’s west side, it wanted to do something nice for its new neighbors. Traditionally, “welcome-to-the-neighborhood” treats are brought to the new kids on the block, not the other way around, but the ACAC had its own sweet idea in mind.
Arts In Education (AIE) Coordinator and ACAC Founder Judy Marti says, “We had just moved into this building. We wanted to do something with our neighbors here to bring us into their fold and vice versa—a good project to bring us all together—something arts based that had a historical component and that was visual.”
Marti’s meeting with the artist was fortuitous. Marti happened to be visiting Gayle Cluck at the York Cultural Alliance. When discussing the murals, Cluck mentioned Chambliss. Luckily, Chambliss was receptive and excited about working on an art project in Gettysburg.
The partnership happened that quickly and that beautifully. The ACAC looked no further. “If you find the right key to fit the lock, you don’t go looking for another key,” says Marti.
Chambliss explains, “It was important to me to do this because of my own heritage and desire to present black America in a more substantial light and to highlight some of the people, events, and stories that are a part of our history.”
The project was important, not only for the local community, bur for visitors as well. “No matter what age, language, or background you are from, you can interpret a visual image,” says Chambliss. “Gettysburg has thousands of foreign visitors each year, and I think that it is important for the rest of the world to see black life depicted.”
The project began as an idea for a wall mural, but feasibility issues prompted the project to change course. Instead, it became the three mural monuments people see today. Each of the three towers is about 6.5 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. The paint is acrylic, and each monument was clear coated for extra protection, so they will last as permanent additions to the Lincoln Cemetery area.
Talks of the project began in April 2012, Chambliss began her work in June, and in November the unveiling took place. The process turned out to be more important and meaningful, however, than anyone could have expected. It brought the community together—young and old alike—to lend a hand in the artwork’s creation.
“She met with kids and adults to get both sides of the story,” Marti says. “Each [monument] stands for a component of time—past, present, and future. Youth…their story is on the third one.”
“The design evolved into what it is today because of the richness of the photographs, stories, and historical documents that the residents were able to provide,” Chambliss says. “I drew my story and images from those materials to create the three towers. The concept is to present a photo album-style motif to depict the historical impact of the black American over the decades since emancipation.”
Marti says that because Chambliss worked with the youth in the area, they have an investment in the artwork. They feel pride and ownership to it. “They have something to come back to and bring their kids to see in 20 years,” she says.
