ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An early concept for a new mural planned for the plaza at Seventh and Hamilton streets has ruffled some feathers.
The mural, which had a draft revealed in May, will extend 61 feet from the second floor of the county-owned building at 638 Hamilton St.
The draft shows birds in flight among plant growth.
"I consider that to be a big (literally) missed opportunity to showcase some of our beautiful species seen locally."Lehigh Valley Audobon Facebook group member Fred Zahradnik
County commissioners at the time were excited, but over in the Lehigh Valley Audubon Facebook Group, news of the mural was met with mixed results.
Many had misgivings about the birds featured appearing non-native rather than the mural spotlighting the wildlife and plants that live in the region.
"These appear to be non-local species of birds on the mural, never seen in this region," group member Fred Zahradnik said.
"I consider that to be a big (literally) missed opportunity to showcase some of our beautiful species seen locally. How about eastern bluebirds or scarlet tanagers? Or peregrine falcons, which can be seen in Allentown?"
As a result, members of the group reached out to developers City Center Group, which is assisting in bringing the project to life, to see if it could spark a change.
Barbara Malt, vice president of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, said she and Audubon Habitat Chairman Colin Monahan connected with the company and pushed for a redesign to align the art with the region's wildlife.
"It sounds like it's going to be great now," Malt said.
Others in the group voiced other concerns, such as the need for building owners in Allentown to take more steps to make structures more bird-friendly.
'Truly a 15-day spectacle'
Malt said the connection was a great one to forge, and hopes there will be future collaborations or potential for advising, to have a good representation for local nature.
"We really would like to have more people from center city engaged in learning about birds and birding with us," she said.
The new birds featured will be an American Goldfinch, American Redstart and Eastern Bluebird, said Jane Heft, vice president of project design and corporate branding at City Center Allentown.
"Even though the birds are dropped in, the artist takes creative liberty to the textures and details that are worked into each animal."Jane Heft, vice president of project design and corporate branding at City Center Allentown
The birds will be depicted flying around bunches of Mountain Laurel, the state flower.
She said it will be painted by Cuban-American artist Ernesto Maranje, and is scheduled to be painted over 15 days in early October.
Heft said a new draft is being kept under wraps so the painting can be more of a reveal.
"Even though the birds are dropped in, the artist takes creative liberty to the textures and details that are worked into each animal," Heft said.
"The artist is amazing to watch, it's truly a 15-day spectacle!"
Heft said the project was funded under the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, with City Center and Allentown Mural Arts assisting.
The project joins more than a dozen large murals in the city, with many installations going up in recent years.
