Five Elements Mural | Fundraiser

The Peekskill Brewery is hosting a fundraiser event for the Five Elements Arches Murals project on Saturday, April 1^st from 12-5pm. In support of the completion, a Limited Edition Five Elements Arches IPA will be introduced with colorful labels featuring the mural art. A Silent Auction will be held with an exciting selection, including jigsaw puzzles and silk scarves featuring the artwork, archival art prints, unique gift baskets and gift cards from local businesses and restaurants. The five original  3’x5’ collage art-boards will be on display with information about the NYS Peekskill DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) Enlighten Peekskill Public Art projects underway. Concept Artist & Project Director, Christine Knowlton and Collage Artist, Candace Winter proposed the project in 2019 and have worked steadily since the project was state approved July 2021.

The concept is based on the cycle of the Five Elements of Nature, Wood/Spring, Fire/Summer. Earth/Late Summer, Metal/Fall and Water/Winter. Each arch features one of the elements with its associated color, energetic movement, and a unique cut shape, a green leaf for Wood, wavy reds for Fire, golden strands and flowers for Earth, richly toned diamonds for Metal and blue fish for Water. The background is composed of tinted words that name and describe the characteristics of the element. Over 2021-2022, eleven paper painting and shape cutting workshops were held with 1,500 individuals contributing to the collage art process, including the Peekskill schools, the Field Library, coffeehouses, craft fairs and music festivals. The collage art panels created by Candace Winter, have been digitized, upscaled and will be printed on vinyl banners and installed in the RT 9A keystone framed arches on South Street @Requa Street overlooking the Peekskill Trains Station. The highway arches range from 21’H to 14’H. Overhead lighting will be added as funding allows.

With NYS DRI funds, the project received an ArtsWestchester Arts Alive grant, a Rotary Club of Peekskill grant along with private support through a GoFundMe campaign.