Artist turns to the community for ideas for Cargo Cafe’s new look - SILive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — By the community, for the community.

That was artist ErinKelli Kilbane’s motivation when creating and carrying out the new mural she designed for the outer walls of Cargo Cafe in St. George.

lfs mural — - After receiving a grant from the city, artist ErinKelli Kilbane, pictured, designed and implemented a mural with community input and assistance.(Courtesy of ErinKelli Kilbane and volunteers)

The 31-year-old — who has led and participated in several borough beautification initiatives over the years with organizations like Projectivity, Hub 17 and the Pride Center of Staten Island — used a grant from the City Artist Corps to fund the project, a 3,200-square-foot behemoth completed with help from a group of volunteers.

Kilbane, a full-time art teacher in Queens, designed the mural based on input from the community; she asked Staten Islanders to vote on certain themes to implement into the design, resulting in an artful concept that captures various forms of nature.

“[The themes being] nature-based makes sense because Staten Island is the Borough of Parks,” said Kilbane, who credited her project manager, John Exit, and the crew of volunteers who worked day and night over the course of several weeks to complete the mural. “The first theme [voted by the community], the most popular, was nautical, which makes sense because [Cargo Cafe] is right by the water; then light and hope, I guess because of the pandemic; and of course, growth, in the form of trees.”

The design, according to Kilbane, is “simple and easy, yet effective.”

The mural starts on the far left of Cargo Cafe as it faces Bay Street, featuring a night sky with clouds, a moon, and hand and paw prints as stars. It then flows into the nautical portion, created from patterns and geometrics, before morphing into a crashing wave. The wave gives way to the reflection of sun in the water, which gives way to what Kilbane calls the “pinnacle”: A bright, roaring sun right on the corner. Turn onto Slosson Terrace and you’ll see growth and plant life in the form of a Fibonacci spiral.

The implementation of Kilbane’s mural wasn’t without minor controversy: Cargo Cafe was previously adorned by the work of Staten Island artist Scott LoBaido, whose American flag motif is well known across the borough.

But, Kilbane said, she hopes Staten Islanders acknowledge changing the exterior walls is just a natural progression of street art.

“I really discourage people from saying, ‘Oh, this is better than the last [mural], or ‘This is not as good as the last one,’ because that’s not what this is about. It’s not about who did it, it’s not about what it looks like, it’s about change. Inherently, street art is about change, and that’s always going to happen.”

Exit, for his part, believed the mural has its place in the St. George community. The longtime artist was brought on by Kilbane for his invaluable experience with both “bigger street murals ... and bigger-scale stuff.”

“It’s brought a lot of joy and happiness in the community, whether it’s the business people walking through during the week, or those living with unfortunate circumstances in their lives. We’ve gotten the same response from everybody, which is that it’s brought a lot of joy. It just seems to bring everybody joy.”

VOLUNTEERS HAPPY TO LEND A HAND

Jennifer Maroni and her dog, Talullah, were more than happy to lend a helping hand — and paw — especially, Maroni said, to a mural that encapsulates and represents people of all kinds.

“It’s representative of the community,” said Maroni, a certified AHWD Realtor with Gateway Arms Realty. “I feel like we’re everything: We’re trans, we’re Black, we’re brown, we’re every color of the rainbow. According to the New York Times, this is one of the most diverse communities in all five boroughs, and frankly I’m so proud to be a part of it.

“I love that [the mural is] so colorful, it’s representative of the rainbow, but at the same time, it’s also got growing plants and living things. It’s almost like it’s living and breathing.”

Volunteer Dana Miller, a transplant from Queens to Staten Island, decided to get involved after she realized “how awesome and active the art scene and community are,” on Staten Island, and noted how the mural “really brings people together and unites people.”

“I love the way it flows together. It involves nature, it involves a relaxing scene, and the colors really pop. It really brings the eye toward this area.”

Yet for Miller, her choice to get involved runs deeper.

“I want to support local women, whether in the arts field or other fields, to bring their creativity and to speak out and to actually invite others to get involved, too. So many others walked by, so many children, and when we [invited them to paint], they were excited. Even if they didn’t come to paint, to put that thought into their minds that they can do it makes such a big difference for the new generation. And because it’s a woman who’s an artist, it really brings it all together.”

HISTORIC ARTIST JOINS GROUP

Upon seeing Kilbane’s work in progress, Menic One — of The Fabulous 5ive fame — decided he, too, needed to join in.

“It’s an honor to be involved,” said Menic, whose group was one of the first to bring graffiti art to Staten Island decades prior. “All the credit goes to Erin and Exit. This is her vision and they really brought it together. It’s just a beautiful thing to be here, to see it and to support it. ... Even if it’s just one brush stroke, she’s bringing the community together. Art is one of the few things that can bring people together, all ages, all colors, all kids to adults. It’s such a positive thing.

“It’s the effort, it’s all being done out of love,” he continued. “We’re here for love, because we love the art and we love the people. It’s a beautiful thing.

“[The Fabulous 5ive] planted some seeds back in the ‘70s, and the seeds that we planted — this is what grew,” said Menic, gesturing to the mural, “and it’s just a beautiful thing to see.”

KILBANE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW

Though her mural is all but wrapped, Kilbane is still reflecting on its importance in the community.

“This is a community thing. I tried to make everyone a part of it, it’s not exclusive in any manner. I think it’s really important that people have a voice and that they’re able to put their hand in an experience like this.

“And I plan on doing many, many more.”

For more on Kilbane, visit her website.

Scroll down for more photos of the Cargo Cafe mural.

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Artist turns to the community for ideas for Cargo Cafe’s new look - SILive.com

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