A colorful new mural now brightens Market Square in downtown Ossining, celebrating the village’s history, natural beauty and continued growth through a community-driven public art project.
Created by muralist Chris Soria in partnership with the Ossining Placemaking Committee, the mural centers on the phrase “Ossining Is Blossoming” and features local landmarks surrounded by vibrant native flowers that reflect the Hudson Valley landscape.
The project grew out of the Placemaking Committee’s mission to enhance public spaces after it was established in 2023.
“When we worked with the Village Board to establish the Placemaking Committee, one of our goals was to bring ‘beauty and delight’ into our public spaces to support the revitalization of our downtown,” said committee co-chair Jeff Shumaker. “Market Square already had a mural that was more than 20 years old, and we agreed it could use a refresh.”
The slogan “Ossining Is Blossoming” was developed by Village Trustee Dana White and embraced by Mayor Rika Levin, making the project a collaborative effort between village leaders and the committee.
Shumaker and Joyce Markovics, the committee’s co-chair, said committee member Lisa Chang created early design renderings before fellow member and art consultant Leigh Taylor Mickelson introduced the group to Sofia.
“The Placemaking Committee loved Chris’s work and appreciated his affinity for bold shapes and colors,” Markovics said. “He took the ‘Ossining Is Blossoming’ concept and ran with it.”
For Soria, whose work explores the relationship between people, place and shared experience, the project offered an opportunity to tell Ossining’s story through public art.
“The committee came up with the phrase ‘Ossining Is Blossoming,’ which speaks to a village that is embracing its future while honoring its rich history,” Soria said. “I wanted the mural to celebrate that sense of renewal and optimism while highlighting the natural beauty, local character and strong community spirit that make Ossining such a unique place.”
Working closely with committee members, Soria developed a design incorporating recognizable village landmarks, including the Double Arch Bridges, the Hudson River and the Palisades, alongside native flowers chosen for their symbolic meaning.
Among them are New York asters representing renewal, common milkweed symbolizing transformation and interconnected ecosystems, and goldenrod, which reflects resilience and optimism.
“The Placemaking Committee and I reviewed these concepts together,” Soria said. “Their local knowledge and feedback helped shape the final mural into something that feels authentic to Ossining while still reflecting my artistic approach.”
Markovics said the artwork also reflects the village’s cultural diversity and ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, including projects supported through New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Residents have already embraced the mural as it has taken shape.
“We heard one person describe it as ‘absolutely joyful,'” Markovics said. “Another said, ‘The colors make me happy.’ Those are the reactions and feelings we were hoping for.”
Because the mural is located in the heart of downtown, Soria spent days interacting with residents, business owners and visitors while painting.
“Painting in public gives the opportunity to connect with people on a level unique from many other settings,” he said. “I had a lot of nice conversations with people, not just about the artwork, but about life, and about living and working in the Hudson Valley.”
Soria hopes the finished mural becomes a lasting part of everyday life in Ossining.
“I hope the mural becomes something people continue to discover over time,” he said. “Public art has a unique ability to become part of everyday life—it can spark conversations, celebrate a community’s identity and create a stronger sense of place.”
Mayor Rika Levin said the mural reflects both the character of downtown and the collaborative effort behind the project.
“Our new Market Square mural is a vibrant reflection of downtown Ossining,” Levin said. “Public art has the power to transform a space, spark conversation, and bring people together. I am grateful to everyone whose vision and hard work made this mural possible, and I hope it inspires residents and visitors for years.”
For the Placemaking Committee, that’s exactly what the project was intended to accomplish.
“Our wish is for the mural to prompt conversation and bring people together,” Markovics said. “Art is powerful. It builds empathy. It connects people. It creates a strong community.”
