Iconic Owego mural gets make-over

OWEGO (WBNG) -- The iconic Owego mural has been on the first building on Lake Street for decades.

After Jim Mead and his wife bought the building to turn into the Early Owego Antique Center, they told 12 News they were unsure of what to do with the artwork.

“We always knew we wanted to either eliminate or start with something completely different, but it’s so iconic and people know it,” Mead said. “It’s been on national TV twice and 5 million cars a year drive by it.”

After searching for the last three years for funding to return the mural back to its natural state, Mead partnered with the Tioga Arts Council to receive funding. Fanny C. Hyde Charitable Trust, The Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation and the Tioga State Bank Foundation are all contributing to the make-over of the mural.

Mead said he is excited for community members to see the subtle changes made to the mural.

“We’ve depicted the river because actually, Owego’s importance comes from the fact that we’re a transportation hub,” Mead said.

The lead painter on the job Bruce Greg said the first thing he noticed when he moved to Owego 15 years ago was this mural.

“It’s a great privilege,” Greg said. “It’s kind of a historic mural now. It’s been here for 20 years. It’s kind of neat to be the guy who fixes it all up.”

Greg said the mural would take him another four days to complete, making it two weeks of painting in the heat.

“It’s actually hard work,” Greg said. “People think artists just dilly around with a paintbrush but you know there’s ladders and heat and it is hard work.”

Both Mead and Greg told 12 News they can’t wait for the community to see the work that has been done.