Chester Creek Trail
Rail Trail in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Mural: "Patterns" by Jay Walker
5/30/20: Painting of the base coat by Nolan Painting
6/1/20: Mural painting begins
6/21/20: Completion with final finishing touches!
6/22/20: Mural dedication ceremony
This project made possible in part by our sponsors:
In a world that has been turned upside down in many ways, some community efforts have continued, including the large mural project on the Chester Creek Rail Trail. As we look towards post-quarantine recovery efforts, we’ll need things to celebrate – including the arts. Thank you for your support with this initiative!
The Friends of the Chester Creek Branch and the Rockdale Arts District are pleased to announce the completion of the first collaboration to bring outdoor art to the Chester Creek Rail Trail. We’ve been able to engage Jay Walker, a nationally recognized artist, to create a mural on the 450-foot long retaining wall between Lenni and Lundgren Road. You may have seen Jay’s work at the Philadelphia airport or elsewhere, but we’re fortunate to have him as a member of the Rockdale Arts District, a community of artists located right near the trail.
Our project began in the Spring of 2020 aided by the generous support of several important partners, Nolan Painting and The McKee Group. The Delaware County Parks Department and Nolan Painting cleaned and primed the wall prior to the mural painting. These critical steps ensure the mural itself will last as long as possible and we are grateful for their professional expertise. Prepping the 450-foot retaining wall was a major undertaking, and would have been impossible without the support of our partners. We are excited to share that the mural was completed in June 2020.
Jay Walker is an Aston-based based multi-disciplinary artist, creating tape installations, mixed media painting/drawings, and carved sculptures. Jay’s work involves observing and developing the dynamics of pattern and morphing them into his own designs. His work is regularly site-specific, allowing room for inspiration from the space itself, as it interacts with and stirs his artistic vision. Jay finds freedom in starting with one idea, initially drawing from color, form, and varied aesthetic choices, allowing the subject matter to emerge. He taps into the identity of culture, incorporating his fascination with archetypes and exploring who they are, why they exist, and what they embody.
Rockdale Arts District is a coalition of arts related entities in the historic mill town of Rockdale located in Aston Township, PA. Together we create a cultural destination to enrich our surrounding community through public engagement and special events.
Artist's Concepts
Please note that a mural is not a permanent memorial; while we expect that the mural and recognition panels will remain for a number of years, no guarantee of permanence is being made.