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Dobbs Ferry board approves selection of Atlanta artist Trudy Tran for Gateway mural
Summary
The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees approved the public art committee's recommendation of Atlanta muralist Trudy Tran for a gateway mural at Cedar and Broadway, authorized finalist stipends and outlined a design-review and installation timeline with community outreach.
The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on July 14 approved the public art committee’s recommendation to select Atlanta-based muralist Trudy Tran for the Dobbs Ferry Gateway Mural, a large-scale work proposed for the blank wall at the Rochambeau/Performance Auto corner at Cedar and Broadway.
Committee member Christine Cavallamano presented the selection process: an open call yielded more than 60 submissions, which the committee narrowed to three semifinalists who each received $500 stipends to produce site-specific concept drawings. The committee evaluated entries on artistic quality, public-facing suitability, readiness and professional capacity, and recommended Trudy Tran based on a concept emphasizing the Hudson River, local flora and fauna and a coordinated stair-treatment that ties the streetscape together. "Public art has the power to unite people, spark conversation, and uplift an area," Cavallamano said, quoting Tran’s artist statement.
Mayor Christy Nell acknowledged the committee’s work and noted the board’s desire over time to see more local and Rivertowns artists in village projects while supporting this project's size and complexity. The board authorized finalist stipends and approved the committee’s recommended artist by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps include executing a contract with the artist, up to two rounds of design revisions with the committee and Rochambeau (tenant) review, final design approval, scheduling installation and exploring a public unveiling or educational event. The committee also proposed adding a painted QR code to the wall so visitors can learn about visual elements such as Lenape heritage and local flora. The committee flagged an estimated unveiling window in late summer to early fall (August–September) pending final scheduling and permitting.
The board noted the project was funded through the village’s downtown improvement/New York Forward grant programming (which also supports signage and a $50,000 storefront improvement fund) and emphasized that the artist would visit and install the mural in person. The resolution declaring finalists, authorizing stipends and selecting the final artist was taken as a single action and approved during the meeting.
