Farmers Market Muralists Put A New Face on Lansingburgh Store

TROY (02/06/21) -- Local artists are bringing new life to the walls of the former Price Chopper building in Lansingburgh by painting dozens of murals around the space, currently the site of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. 

The mural project has recruited more than two dozen artists with the help of the Arts Center of the Capital Region and the Troy Architectural Project, Inc. (TAP).

Projects range from 400 square feet to less than 40 square feet and are located throughout the market. Artists were asked to create pieces that related to the market or the Lansingburgh neighborhood, and the results range from scenic farming landscapes to Troy’s own Uncle Sam holding a basket of produce. 

"This project captures the spirit of adaptation that our entire community has had to adopt throughout the pandemic,” said Peter Hamlin, market assistant. “Our market has had to move its operations several times since last March, but this has brought us closer to new customers and communities. Wherever the market sets up, we work to enliven the place and we’re grateful to these local artists for helping spruce up our new space in Lansingburgh.”

Muralist Sean McLaughlin

One mural illustrates a recent Troy story starring local entrepreneur Jamel Mosely as he stares, bewildered but lovingly at a duck. This is based on true events: on Jan. 9, Mosely found a stray duck near 7th Avenue and Middleburgh in Troy, and spent about an hour and a half keeping the duck out of the street and getting it to safety. The duck was eventually brought to a waterfowl rescue. Mosely documented the encounter on Facebook live. 

“I thought this was the kind of fun, wholesome, heartfelt, non-political story we needed at the moment,” said artist Jade Warrick, also known by her Instagram handle TrashKiD. Warrick is the founder of Amplified Voices, a community public mural project aiming to amplify voices of local artists of color and provide youth mentoring opportunities. 

Joyce Chan is an accomplished sculptor and paper artist, but she hadn’t painted in more than a decade before starting her murals. Chan researched the market vendors near her murals and included homage to them:  for Collar City Cold Pressed, seasonal winter vegetables; and for  First Choice Caribbean, Jamaica’s national flower and national bird, lignum vitae and the swallowtail hummingbird.

“I was excited to create something big, in an airy open space, for a veggie-composting-forward community,” said Chan. “I’m a fan of the vendors near where my murals are located and am excited to present pops of color, culture and content alongside them.” 

The Mural Project is funded by the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market with sponsorship from The Collar Factory Lofts by Redburn Development, The Church artist studios and event space, and 1 Monument Square by Hoboken Brownstone Co. The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Hatchet Hardware and Passonno Paints donated painting supplies and MAC equipment donated for the use of two lifts. Additional support comes from small donations collected at the market from vendors and customers.

“The farmers market is pleased to have this opportunity to support local artists by providing them a safe space to share their craft with the public,” said Steve Ridler, manager of the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. “There’s still more space for artwork and if we receive additional donations and sponsorships we will be able to continue this project.” 

The public has two opportunities to view the murals in person every weekend through March. In addition to the regular Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a new Sunday market, The Marketplace, featuring local makers, will take place in the TWFM space from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Feb. 7 and running through the end of March. The Marketplace is a partnership between TWFM and Make It Up State. 

Photos and video of the murals will also be shared online at TroyMarket.org and the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market social media accounts. 

Rachael Lorimer paints mural at winter home of Troy Waterfront Farmers Market in former Lansignburgh Price Chopper.

Murals at winter home of Troy Waterfront Farmers Market in former Lansingburgh Price Chopper.

Mural by Jade Warrick, also known by her Instagram handle TrashKiD, illustrates a recent Troy story, starring local entrepreneur Jamel Mosely as he stares, bewildered but lovingly at a duck.

Update On the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market moved its winter home to the former supermarket in December with safety in mind to provide more space and easier customer flow. The market is leasing the Price Chopper building and hopes to return next winter. In the spring, the market plans to move back to its outdoor downtown location in Riverfront Park.

Customers also have the option of shopping on TWFM Online, a web-based store offering contactless drive-thru pickup, at TroyMarket.org/TWFMonline