Four years later, Allendale ready to replace lost centennial mural

ALLENDALE — Four years after it was plastered over, the borough's centennial mural is about to be resurrected.

A multi-stage project to create a new mural will begin next week under the supervision of resident sculptor Simon Rigg, said Mayor Amy Wilczynski.

"The Allendale mural project will result in a magnificent and unique piece of art," Wilczynski said in a message to residents on the borough website. "This is an exciting project to be a part of Allendale history."

The original mural was designed by art director George Takayama. It was painted by volunteers on the side of a retail/apartment building at 83-89 W. Allendale Ave., in the central business area, as part of the borough's 1994 centennial celebration. Over time it had become cracked as a result of the shifting brick wall under the plaster the mural was painted on. The mural was covered when the wall was repaired and replastered in December 2019.

Wilczynski was on the council at the time and encouraged suggestions for a mural replacement. However, the COVID-19 shutdown postponed the project, which is just getting off the ground now.

"Ed Kalpagian of State Farm owns the building and Frank Tommaso owns the land," Wilczynski said. "They are both very accommodating and in support of this project."

Rigg is proposing a ceramic bas-relief three-dimensional mural in which kilned and enameled clay animals and birds are affixed to glazed painted panels that are attached to the wall.

"These are more weatherproof, and can be removed and preserved in the event further building work is required," Rigg said.

The first stage, scheduled for next week, will be the molding in clay of various fish, turtles, birds and insects native to the borough's 107-acre Celery Farm nature preserve. The work will be done by Hillside School's 91 third graders during art classes.

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"These will later be colored and enameled, and eventually glued to the painted panels," Rigg said. "Students at Northern Highlands will later be involved in painting the murals and larger animals."

Allendale historian Fred Litt provided input for the mural's elements, which are similar to the original, but not exactly the same. Those included the borough clock at the intersection of Myrtle and West Allendale avenues, the circa-1760 Fell House on Franklin Turnpike, the Allendale Bar & Grill, Highlands Presbyterian Church, the borough train station, the Memorial Park monument, the Grand Stand Field at Allendale Recreation Park, Crestwood Park and elements of the Celery Farm.

Rigg is hoping the mural, which he called a "large, complicated project," will be in place by June.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Allendale NJ ready to replace lost centennial mural