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Council backs Outside Air mural program; presenters seek quick approvals and small seed funding
Summary
Jeannie Johnson and Cathy Woo Brady presented 'Outside Air' (interactive mini-murals and seasonal installations) and council members signaled support, urged HPC and CBDC review, and asked staff to coordinate landlord and utility permissions. Presenters requested modest seed funding and volunteer assistance.
Jeannie Johnson and Cathy Woo Brady, co-chairs of the Outside Air Art in Ridgewood Committee, presented a plan on July 2 to install a series of small interactive murals and seasonal public-art installations across downtown Ridgewood. Council members expressed broad enthusiasm, requested committee presentations to advisory bodies and asked staff to coordinate landlord and utility approvals.
"The AIR mission is to create a more vibrant and connected community and where the streets are alive with art, culture, and community spirit," Johnson told the council, laying out proposed murals, 3-D pieces and seasonal elements intended to draw foot traffic and support local businesses.
Program and locations: Presenters listed proposed locations including the Wine Cellar on West Ridgewood Avenue, Stella on South Broad Street, Sweet Kitchen and Brooklyn Pizza on Oak Street, Color Me Mine on Ridgewood Avenue and World Flats on Walnut. Artists proposed include local residents and instructors such as Jackie Carter (Artisan Crafts), Elsa Carbone and Athena Maxwell (Ridgewood High School AP art instructor).
Budget and timeline: Presenters described a modest initial budget request: overall small interactive-mural materials estimated at about $1,350 (with Rossi Paint donating supplies for painted murals), a $200 cost for a "googly-eyes" fall installation, a $150 assembly cost for yarn-bomb elements and umbrella kits priced at about $1,000 (kits of 10). Johnson asked to stagger installations with a goal of installing the initial murals by Oct. 1, 2025 to coincide with fall events.
Council response and next steps: Members encouraged the presenters to appear before the Central Business District Advisory Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission for formal review. Deputy Mayor Pam Perrin and other council members suggested staff and building/police review to ensure installations do not obstruct sight lines or violate safety codes. Council members offered to help connect the committee with parking and PSE&G for light-pole permission.
Volunteer and inclusivity notes: Presenters said the committee has a large volunteer base (roughly 30 people) and will work with local groups for assembly and seasonal changes; council members recommended including special-needs art programs and local high-school interns for social-media amplification.
Ending: Council members voiced general support and directed presenters to obtain landlord and utility approvals, meet historic-preservation timing constraints, and return to advisory boards for formal sign-offs. No formal funding appropriation was authorized at the meeting; presenters and staff will pursue committee reviews and finalize budget requests.
