NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A $50,000 grant to the City of New Rochelle’s Business Improvement District from the Green Mountain Energy “Sun Club” will light the way for a unique public art display in the center of the downtown, powered entirely by the sun. Joining Mayor Noam Bramson in making the announcement were City Councilman Ivar Hyden, Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon, BID Director Ralph DiBart and Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager for Green Mountain Energy.
The outdoor art project will begin this spring and be installed in the vicinity of Library Green, the home of the BID Downtown Farmers Market, of which Green Star Energy has been a sponsor since its inception.
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said, “This display is an exciting addition to our growing mosaic of public art, and underscores the City’s commitment to sustainable energy. I applaud Green Mountain for their forward thinking and appreciate their generosity.”
To date, the Sun Club program has donated over $3.4 million to build more than 900 kilowatts of solar power for 75 solar projects since 2002, made possible by contributions from Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers, its employees, and the company itself. Sun Club donation recipients are evaluated every year based on their need, mission, and passion for educating their communities about the importance of renewable energy. Other “Sun Club” recipients include Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Bard College and Grow NYC Union Square Market.
“Every one of our customers in New York and Pennsylvania helps make these solar projects possible just by choosing Green Mountain Energy Company as their electricity supplier,” said Tony Napolillo, program manager of the Sun Club. “I’m excited to see the positive impact this solar donation will have on New Rochelle Business Improvement District. It’s a wonderful example of what we can achieve when hundreds of thousands of people come together towards a common goal.”
The BID’s grant is unique in that it will combine the arts with clean energy; and further establish the Library Green neighborhood as an arts destination, complementing the BID’s concerts, Family Days and Farmers Market.
BID Executive Director Ralph DiBart noted, “The installation of a solar public arts display right in the heart of the downtown will support our sense of community, and the use of clean energy demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future.”
“This unique and cutting edge installation will promote New Rochelle as an arts destination,” said City Council Member Ivar Hyden. “As a downtown business owner, arts advocate, and City official, I am grateful for this public-private partnership.”
Assisting the BID will be public art curators Joyce Pomeroy Schwartz and Kari Conte who worked with Mr. DiBart in conceiving of the arts placemaking focus for the grant. Ms. Schwartz has an extensive background in public arts commissions including such prestigious projects as Brian Tolle’s Irish Hunger Memorial at Battery Park City and Maya Lins’ placemaking public spaces in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Ms. Conte has curated or organized over thirty international exhibitions, site-specific commissions and performances including contributions to the Aichi Triennale (2013) and Performa Biennial (2011).
More information on the Green Mountain Sun Club