The Alley Art Project is a unique educational program designed to connect local high school students to both The Rockwell’s collection and their community at large.For over a decade, Rockwell Museum educators have been partnering with the High School Learning Center of the Corning-Painted Post Area School District on the Alley Art Project. Together, we create stunning student-designed and painted murals that use The Rockwell’s collection of art and objects as inspiration. Students work under the direction of Rockwell Museum Education staff and guests artists, in the creation and painting of each mural.
Download the Alley Art Project scavenger hunt. Pick one up at the Corning Information Center or at the Museum. Explore the murals and downtown Corning by visiting each mural site and finding details within each mural design. The Rockwell believes that public art has the power to bring people together, encourage conversation and ignite the imagination.
The Alley Art Project embraces start-to-finish, project-based learning initiatives. Students study art in The Rockwell collection, learning about symbolism and art theory. Students then explore aspects of individual and community identity, which acts as a catalyst for creative writing and art-making.
How do you go from an idea to truly making something happen in the world? What is the connection between science, nature, and art? How can you translate your personal emotions, thoughts, identity, frustrations or hopes to a work of art?
Each students’ individual pieces of art translate to elements of a larger design, to be painted in the Corning community as a mural.
Students earn credits toward their high school diploma during the time spent with Rockwell educators, all while cultivating a sense of pride, ownership, and connection to the community.
Use the Smithsonian Learning Lab to view the murals in downtown Corning, New York, and learn about The Rockwell’s collection inspiration for each mural design. Discover how Rockwell educators and teaching artists work together with students to incorporate symbolism and ideas into meaningful works of public art. Each mural masterpiece shares a story that reveals a new perspective, provokes awareness, questions identity, and disrupts daily routines by activating public spaces with visually stimulating art.
The 2022 Alley Art Project is supported in part by The Triangle Fund, by Guthrie and by John and Sue Tobin.
The 2021 Alley Art Project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Triangle Fund.
This virtual conversation, with a group of panelists, including this year’s Teaching Mural Artist Betsy Z. Casañas, highlights behind-the-scenes processes and the creation of Alley Art Project murals around Corning. The panelists also discuss what public art representation means in a city, and how art can create an intentional culture of diversity and vibrancy within a community. The discussion is facilitated by Dakota H. Stevens, Alley Art Project Intern, Curatorial Track Ph.D. Student and Andrew W. Mellon Fellow at the University of Delaware in Art History.
Video by Noah Goldwyn, student intern
Amy Ruza, Youth and Family Programs Educator, 607.974.4707
This project is made possible in part by support from The Triangle Fund, Great Circle Foundation, Inc., William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, The Brand Schweizer Group | Raymond James, Corning Dental Associates, and Terp’s Enterprises.
We have a history of working with educators and have been creating curriculum, activities and other resources for educators and parents for the last two decades. Learn more about how to organize a field trip for your classroom, plan an educator training, get involved in outreach and more.
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