Outside Art: Where Walls Speak and Color Connects

In a quiet corner of upstate New York, something extraordinary has been unfolding since 2016—brushstroke by brushstroke, wall by wall. Outside Art, co-founded by art visionaries Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo, began as a spark: a mural commemorating the Battle of Plattsburgh, created with artist Shawna Armstrong. For Devine, it was a natural evolution from her earlier work on a vibrant mosaic piece on City Hall Place with Mountain Lake PBS. She saw firsthand how public art could uplift communities and create shared pride—an echo of her Philadelphia roots where murals are part of the city's cultural fabric.

Outside Art is more than a project—it’s a love letter to public space. It’s a mission stitched in pigment and possibility: to transform the streets of Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast into an open-air gallery. Collaborating with artists from near and far, the organization breathes life into brick and concrete, transforming the everyday into the extraordinary. Their goal? To paint not just the town, but the collective spirit of the community—so locals and visitors alike feel seen, stirred, and welcomed into the narrative.

Creating a mural isn’t just about picking a wall and adding paint. The process begins one to two years in advance. Sometimes building owners approach Outside Art with a mural idea, and sometimes the team scouts potential locations. As they narrow down the space and artist, Julia and Amy also work tirelessly to secure funding, primarily through grants, to support artwork that can only be created during the warmer months. A mural’s location often shapes the concept—like the eclipse mural at City Beach, which captured the shared wonder of the 2024 solar eclipse as experienced by the community and an estimated 200,000 visitors.

The transformation is more than visual. It’s soulful. “We love that the murals have brightened up downtown, enriched the art scene, and engaged the community,” says Guglielmo. These murals are more than decoration—they’re declarations. They speak of heritage and hope, of voices past and present. These public pieces don’t just beautify—they bring people together, foster pride in place, and act as visual celebrations of local culture, history, and imagination.

At the heart of Outside Art is a deep love for local talent. “We really like to prioritize showcasing the talent of local artists first,” says Devine. From painters to ceramicists, storytellers to dreamers, Plattsburgh is bursting with creativity—and Outside Art is the amplifier. Some artists are discovered. Others arrive, full of vision, asking only for a wall and the chance to make it sing. What matters most is authenticity, passion, and connection to place.

But like all good art, this work doesn’t come easy. “There are so many challenges,” they admit—  As a small nonprofit, Outside Art faces many hurdles—from securing funding to navigating unpredictable summer weather that can delay or interrupt projects. Yet, somehow, every year, the magic still happens. Thanks to the generosity of partners, the resilience of volunteers, and the heartbeat of the community, the paint keeps flowing. The art keeps growing.

Among their many projects, one stands out as particularly emotional: the “Read and Grow! The Dream Garden Mural” at the Plattsburgh Public Library. Designed by local ceramic artist Sue Young and inspired by a children’s book by Kate Messner. Over 100 community members laid their hands on its creation—sculpting, shaping, believing. “I cried at the dedication,” Guglielmo recalls. “Tears of relief and joy.” Because when a mural becomes a memory, it’s no longer just a wall—it’s a shared chapter.

Looking ahead, Outside Art shows no signs of slowing down. This summer, they’ll unveil “The Poets’ Mural,” celebrating the lives and legacy of Plattsburgh poets Lucretia and Margaret Davidson. Located along the Saranac River, the mural will be painted by Brendon Palmer-Angell, known for previous works like the “Jean Arthur Mural.” Alongside the visual tribute, Outside Art will also distribute poetry by local writers throughout the city in collaboration with the Adirondack Center for Writing. As always, the future is painted with promise—and plenty of color.

Photos provided by Amy Guglielmo.