The Auburn Public Art Trail is a self-guided art walk through Downtown Auburn that highlights over a dozen public art pieces, including signature community mosaics, murals, and sculptures. Most of the artwork is highly visible and fully accessible to the public, and by pulling the individual pieces together into a walking trail we also want to put the spotlight on the stories behind the artwork and the artists who created them.

A print map, as well as a GPS-enabled online map with photos and video segments, will guide you from one amazing piece to the next. At each location, you have the opportunity to read about or listen to the artists and their stories. This self-guided walking tour gives you another reason to come and experience Downtown Auburn!  Maps may still be picked up at the Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South Street, during regular business hours.

This project was made possible through generous grant funding from the Columbian Foundation, as well as contributions and support from the Auburn Downtown BID, code_munkeys, and communicate THIS.

Project Team: Anthony Clubine (portrait & name plate), Jen Gandee (ceramic border tile design), Dave Tobin (technical artist),  Jesse Kline (project manager) and Paul Elice (frame contractor) & 75+ community volunteers
Contact: Jesse Kline, [email protected]
Dimensions: 20′ x 5.5′
Materials: Mosaic tile, mirror, ceramic lettering, glass gem stones, border tiles, colored grout, and paint
Patron: New York State Council of the Arts, Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District, Harriet Tubman Boosters, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace

The Harriet Tubman Memorial Mosaic features a 5-by-4-foot portrait and nameplate painted by Syracuse muralist Tony Clubine, as well as ceramic border tile design by artist Jen Gandee. The artist collective Art for Auburn believes that these types of projects build community, plus create accessible public art that beautifies the downtown landscape. Volunteers of all ages helped create this piece that highlight the best of the community and gives Tubman the recognition that she deserves.

Date of Completion:  Summer 2017
Location: Rear wall of Genesee Center (facing Lincoln Street)

Project Team: Jessie Reich, Blake Chamberlain and Anthony Clubine (artist design & outline), Jesse Kline and Dave Tobin (project managers) & 25+ community volunteers
Contact: Jesse Kline, [email protected]
Dimensions: 3 walls 3’ x 15’
Materials: Acrylic and fluorescent paint
Patron: New York State Council of the Arts

The first mural, located closest to Genesee Street, depicts an eye-catching Owasco Lake scene, Auburn’s Finger Lake, painted by mural artist Anthony Clubine. The two interior mosaics are painted with fluorescent paint and pay homage to Auburn’s divisive crow population. The outlines were done prior, to serve as a guide for the volunteers participating in the actual painting, and then reapplied to complete the mural.
Date of Completion:  Summer 2015
Location: Exchange Street Plaza

Project Team: Audrey Iwanicki (artist), Lori Dillon, Bob Stebbins & Peter Chappell
Contact: Audrey Iwanicki, [email protected]
Dimensions: 4′ w x 8′ (base) x 8′ tall
Materials: Iron, steel, pre-1935 tractor wheels, International Harvester combine pulley wheels
Patron: Stardust Foundation of Central New York

The project was done in response to an RFP from the Auburn Beautification Commission in 2010. The intent was to showcase businesses that had roots or ties to Auburn, especially the invention of the technology for synchronized sound on film by converting sound waves to light waves. That technology changed the world. Soon after the formation of International Harvester, the company bought D.M. Osborne and used the patents held by Osborne for farm equipment to build its business into one of the biggest producers of farm implements in the world.

Date of Completion: Summer 2010
Location: Exchange Street Plaza

Project Team: David Serotkin (artist), IGNITE Cayuga County’s Young Professionals & 25+ community volunteers
Contact: Connie Reilley, [email protected]
Dimensions: 5’ x 15’
Materials: Acrylic paint on canvas
Patron: Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District

David Serotkin, a Syracuse-based artist, led volunteers in painting this lively and colorful downtown Auburn scene.

Date of Completion: Summer 2005
Location: Auburn Public Theater lobby, 8 Exchange Street (inside)

Artist: Chuck Maciulewicz
Contact: Connie Reilley, [email protected]
Dimensions: 10′ x 30′
Materials: Vinyl banner
Patrons:  Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District, Mack Studios & the City of Auburn

This vinyl banner is a photographic reproduction of a triptych (series of three) that was painted by artist Chuck Maciulewicz in the 1960s (commissioned by Cayuga Savings Bank). The views from the top down represent William Seward Park, an aerial view of State Street businesses, and the clubhouse and pond at Hoopes Park. Combined these compositions highlight both Auburn’s natural beauty and its bustling downtown.

Date of Completion: Fall 2014
Location: City Parking Garage Stairwell Tower, William Street

Project Team: Blake Chamberlain (artist design and outline), Jesse Kline and Dave Tobin (project managers), Cheri Haring (ceramic letters), Paul Elice (frame contractor) & 50+ community volunteers
Contact: Blake Chamberlain, [email protected]
Dimensions: 6′ x 20′
Materials: Mosaic tile, mirror, ceramic lettering, glass gem stones, border tiles, colored grout, and paint
Patrons: Stardust Foundation of Central New York & Edward T. Boyle Center

The design was inspired by both the wishes of the Boyle Center residents, and a black & white historic photograph depicting Genesee Street before the Boyle Center was built. Buildings include the B.P. Order of Elk’s Lodge and the beloved Big Store, and the iconic Auburn Memorial City Hall spire set in front of a colorful sunset background. The painted outline was done prior, to serve as a guide for the volunteers participating in the mosaic installation, and then reapplied after the grouting process was complete.

Date of Completion: Summer 2011
Location: 149 Genesee Street, east wall

Project Team: Zarin Kinsella (frame & cement board construction), Jessie Reich (artist), Jennifer Gandee (ceramic leaves), Jesse Kline and Dave Tobin (project managers), Melissa Stahl (ceramic buttons) & 50+ community volunteers
Contact: Jesse Kline, [email protected]
Dimensions: 4’ x 8’
Materials: mosaic tile, mirror, glass gem stones, ceramic buttons, ceramic leaves, colored grout, and paint
Patrons: Family of Sam Kennedy & Auburn Players Community Theatre

Lesley Kennedy & family and members of APCT Board wanted to commemorate Sam’s contributions with a public art memorial. The Tree of Life symbolizes all of the artistic disciplines Sam was involved with – specifically theater, writing & journalism – and the interconnectedness of all things, both living and passed.

Date of Completion: Summer 2013
Location: 25 Dill Street, west wall

Artist: Peter Maciulewicz
Contact: Peter Maciulewicz,
[email protected]
Dimensions: 12’ x 36’
Materials: Vinyl building wrap
Patron: Mack Studios &
Downtown Auburn BID

This is a replica of Peter’s painting, showcasing a beautiful field of lilies, and the hope for downtown revitalization. The image was transferred onto a vinyl banner by Mack Studios, and part of the second year of the Downtown BID’s “Music for Murals” event.

Date of completion: Summer 2006
Location: Nash’s, 12 State Street, north wall

Artists: Dana Ryan (artist), and John Kimber (back board construction)
Contact: Dana Ryan, [email protected]
Dimensions: 8’ x 12’
Materials: Plywood & acrylic paint
Patron: Connie Reilley, gifted to Cayuga County

This aerial map of Cayuga County depicts what there is to see & do for visitors and residents alike. The artist thanks Frontenac Historical Society & Museum for providing her the space to work on this project.

Date of completion: Winter 2009
Location: Cayuga County Office Building, 160 Genesee Street, 6^th floor (outside)

Artist: Anthony Clubine
Contact: Anthony Clubine, [email protected]
Dimensions: 8’ x 20’
Materials: Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint on primed MDO duraply board framed by pressure treated 2x4s
Patron: Eliminator Automotive & Cycle

The mural scene depicts business & building owner Mike Antonacci on a motorcycle surrounded by his “toys” and furry friends with Hunter’s Dinerant in the background.

Date of completion: Summer 2013
Location: 41 Market Street

Artist: Anthony Clubine
Contact: Anthony Clubine, [email protected] 
Dimensions: 8’ x 8’
Materials: Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint on primed MDO duraply board
Patron: Meyer Bookbinding Company

Artist: Anthony Clubine
Contact: Anthony Clubine, [email protected]
Dimensions: 18’ x 60’
Materials: Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic Paint on brick and stucco
Patron: The Liberty Store & Downtown Auburn BID & NYS Main Street Funds

The mural scene depicts the business and renowned Auburnians Harriet Tubman, William H. Seward & Theodore Case in contemporary garb. The male in the white t-shirt, next to the sign promoting The Liberty Store brand names, is a cameo self-portrait of the artist. Prior to the mural’s installation, façade work was completed, funded by NYS Main Street grants and trafficked by the Downtown Auburn BID.

Date of completion: Summer 2006
Location: 5 East Genesee Street & Seminary Avenue

Artist: Anthony Clubine
Contact: Anthony Clubine, [email protected]
Dimensions: 35’ x 45’
Materials: Billboard Ronan Bulletin paint applied to primed brick
Patron: Colonial Laundromat

The mural depicts a Downtown Auburn scene in the 1890s featuring a Flatiron style wedge-shaped building. It also includes references to current local retail businesses and faces of Auburn residents. Look for a “Happy Birthday Kayli” banner across the street, honoring Tony’s daughter’s first birthday.

Date of completion: Fall 2000
Location: 26 East Genesee Street (outside)

Project Team: Blake Chamberlain (artist design and outline), Jesse Kline and Dave Tobin (project managers), Brian Redfield (mural text), Paul Elice (frame contractor), and 50+ community volunteers
Contact: Blake Chamberlain, [email protected]
Dimensions: 5′ x 25′
Materials: Mosaic tile, mirror, sea shells, caulk adhesive, colored grout, and paint
Patron: Stardust Foundation of Central New York

Date of completion: Summer 2010
Location: 33 E. Genesee Street, west wall

Project Team: Harriet Tubman Booster (sponsor), Arthur Hutchinson (artist), A&M Graphics (installer), Kyle Holdings, LLC (site donation)
Contact: Debra Brillati, [email protected]
Dimensions: 26’ x 61’
Material: Vinyl building wrap
Patron: Visit TubmanMural.org for a complete list of contributors.

Harriet Tubman: Her Life in Freedom is the only mural dedicated to sharing Tubman’s incredible fight for human rights after finding freedom and settling in Auburn, NY. Located in the heart of the city that she called home for over 50 years, the design features scenes of Tubman at various stages of her life, as a leader of the 1863 Combahee River Raid, a nurse during the Civil War, an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement, and an older woman in the orchard she cultivated at her home.

Date of Completion: Summer 2022
Location: 39 Genesee Street (facing South Street)