Paint-A-Hydrant infuses a splash of color and creativity into Downtown Easton

EASTON, Pa. — Downtown Easton will get a lot more creative and colorful this weekend.

Eleven local artists plan to simultaneously paint fire hydrants throughout the business district.

The Paint-A-Hydrant program, conceived by Easton Main Street Design Committee Chairman Tony Klapatch, will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday.

Artists will create their very own vibrant, themed designs on the hydrants at 11 locations.

Paint-A-Hydrant is just one part of Easton’s Fourth Friday activities held throughout this September.

The goal is to create an energetic community atmosphere as residents and visitors travel from spot to spot to watch the art come to life.

"This project perfectly captures the spirit of what makes Easton special — our incredible local talent and strong sense of community," Easton Main Street Initiative Manager Julie VanOsdol said.

"Seeing all these artists working simultaneously across downtown will create a really special atmosphere.”

Permanent public art installations

Paint-A-Hydrant launched in early summer 2025, when the Easton Main Street Initiative put out calls for applications on social media.

The group received what they called an “overwhelming response from area artists,” leading to the selection of 11 designs as diverse as whimsical flowers, nostalgic gumballs and fresh produce themes.

The Easton Main Street Initiative Design Committee managed the project execution, from reviewing applications to cleaning and priming the hydrants to preparing custom paint kits for the artists.

During the event, the public is encouraged to visit the downtown to watch the artists in action.

Painted hydrants will remain as permanent public art installations, adding a splash of color and character to the neighborhood.

Artists, community come together

Cecily Mowad said she first caught wind of Paint-A-Hydrant on social media, and thought it was a cool opportunity to pay homage to the city where she has lived her whole life.

For her piece “Old Fashioned Gumball Machine,” she drew from a sense of classic nostalgic rooted in the community.

"I did look online a little bit, and I saw a lot of flowers, stuff like that," Mowad said.

"I did see a couple old gumball machine looking designs, and I thought that would be the perfect route to go, with like The Carmelcorn Shop Downtown, and Crayola is right there.

“So I thought if I could get somewhere in that area, where a lot of kids pass by, it would be pretty cool for families to see stuff like that.”

Mowad said she thinks the event will be a great opportunity for artists and the community to come together.

“I feel like there is a big art scene in Easton, but I feel like it's not really talked about too much," she said.

"And it's just a good opportunity for some of those local artists to get their name out and show their work and talk to the community and all the families and people that are visiting Downtown.

“I think it's a really cool idea. I'm glad that they did it, and it's a fun project to be involved in.”

Hydrants to be painted

The following artists will conduct their work at the listed locations:

• Julia Casolo — "Bloom With Kindness" at Fourth Street Parking Garage
  
• Gracie Petrossian — "Funny Flowers!" at 66 N. Third St.
  
• Bouquets N Things Florist — "Season of Flowers" at 225 Ferry St.
  
• Melissa Orellana — "Love Beyond Colors" at 229 Church St.
  
• Cecily Mowad — "Old Fashioned Gumball Machine" at 16 Centre Square
  
• Joelle Fogel — "Zac Bruch" at 301 Northampton St.
  
• Janel Kissel — "Grow Where You're Planted" at 237 Northampton St.
  
• Stacy Melvin, Benjamin Oaks Shamis and Eric Shamis — "Veggies, Fruits, and Flowers" at 325 Northampton St.
  
• Hadley Radlowski & Kristina Thomas — "Sweet Treat" at 301 Pine St.
  
• Tija Matiss — "Morning Star" at 301 Ferry St.
  
• Dr. Bonnie's Book Club — "Post Office" at 201 Ferry St.