The Essex County Land Bank and the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) are partnering with the community to bring public art in the form of murals to downtown Ticonderoga
Murals 2025 Location Map
Our 2025 Artists
Artwork & Artists
Emily Ding – Belonging
Learn more about 'Belonging'
Emily Ding @_emilyding “BELONGING”
This mural design symbolizes collectiveness, with themes and imagery of lightness,
spring time, coming together/teamwork, and journeys both physical and emotional. I
was inspired by the natural geography and landscape of the region (being so close to
the Adirondacks), and created a small fairytale/fable featuring native animals such as
black bears, whitetail deer, martens, chipmunks, bobcats, beavers, and great horned
owls. Together all these creatures form an unlikely menagerie, traipsing across a
glowing forest, walking together towards some destination. I also included a child
walking among them as a nod to the children of Ticonderoga, carrying a bindle as a nod
to hikers and travelers that come through the area.
Emily Ding
Based in Los Angeles, Emily is known for her emotionally rich murals that blend expressive wildlife with vibrant, glowing palettes. Her work resonates with themes of transformation, wonder, and connection.
Her murals have graced walls across the U.S.—from the SHINE Festival in Florida to California’s wide open walls—and Disney recently commissioned her to create a piece for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Disney Springs. Emily’s ability to infuse motion and spirit into her subjects sets her apart in the public art world.
In Ticonderoga, Emily has created a work that speaks to the vibrant potential of the next generation. Emily has celebrated our youth, growth, protection, and the color and promise of our region’s future. Her unique voice perfectly fits a town steeped in history yet brimming with what comes next.
More on Emily’s journey:
Justin Suarez – Entangled
Learn more about 'Entangled'
Justin Suarez aka Aerosol Kingdom @aerosolkingdom “ENTANGLE”
In an extreme trust fall, two Peregrine Falcons lock talons and spiral through the air,
engaging in a majestic dance called “cartwheeling.” This behavior, observed in several
raptor species, serves as an elaborate mating ritual, showcasing agility and
coordination. Peregrine Falcons form strong pair bonds and typically mate for life,
returning to the same nesting site each year.
Monarch Butterflies symbolize the fluttery, light, and sometimes uncomfortable feeling
often experienced when meeting someone you’re attracted to. This sensation, referred
to as “feeling butterflies,” adds to the sense of movement and floating in the mural.
Magnolias, with their long-lasting beauty, are symbols of everlasting connection in many
cultures. Their annual blooms represent enduring love, friendship, and bonds that
persist through challenges.
This mural celebrates the return of the Peregrine Falcon to the Adirondacks, following
its near-extinction, and encourages both visitors and residents to explore their personal
connection with nature. It aims to inspire lasting bonds with the Ticonderoga region,
highlighting the beauty of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of both nature and
community.
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Aerosol Kingdom – Justin Suarez
Justin is a wildlife muralist and licensed falconer whose bold, lifelike murals celebrate the dignity and motion of animals, especially birds of prey. Based in Rochester, NY, he works with nature centers, schools, and regional public spaces to tell stories of conservation and survival. His murals appear from Chicago’s neighborhoods to rural silos and community centers across the Northeast.
As a volunteer bird handler at Wild Wings sanctuary, Justin’s close relationships with hawks and owls reveal the emotion and accuracy of his work. His artistic practice is also an act of environmental education, giving new visibility to threatened species and encouraging a deeper connection between viewers and the natural world.
In Ticonderoga, Justin is honoring a once-disappearing raptor species whose return to our skies is a quiet but powerful restoration story of ecosystems and ourselves. This is a mural that will fly with meaning.
Explore Justin’s work:
Arlin Graff – Pathkeeper
Learn more about 'Pathkeeper'
Arlin Graff @arlin_graff “Pathkeeper”
This mural celebrates the natural richness and spirit of Ticonderoga, NY historically
known as the “land between the lakes,” nestled between Lake George and Lake
Champlain.
At the heart of the design is a North American porcupine, depicted in Arlin Graff’s
signature geometric and colorful style. Emerging from a stylized forest, the animal
moves with intention toward an open landscape symbolizing exploration, adaptation,and harmony with nature.
The surrounding environment includes a bright blue sky, soft geometric clouds, green grass, and vivid yellow Black-Eyed Susans, all common to the region. These eleme ntshonor the area’s strong relationship with its natural surroundings.
The background forest represents Ticonderoga’s deep-rooted connection to the land its waterfalls, clean waters, and shifting seasons. These natural forces shape the local way of life and inspire respect and care for the environment.
“Pathkeeper” invites both locals and visitors to reflect on their role within the ecosystem, encouraging a renewed appreciation for the landscapes that define the region. The mural becomes more than a visual piece it is a call for coexistence and a tribute to the natural beauty that makes Ticonderoga unique.
Arlin Graff @arlin_graff “Pathkeeper”
Arlin is a Brazilian-born artist whose bold, geometric wildlife murals bring color, energy, and meaning to public spaces worldwide—from São Paulo to New York City.
His work blends nature and form, structure and soul, transforming animals into vibrant, abstracted symbols that invite reflection on our relationship with the natural world. With projects commissioned by global brands and cities alike, Arlin brings a universal language of movement, balance, and life.
For his Ticonderoga mural, Arlin has chosen to honor a species found in our region—an iconic animal that is sacred and symbolic in Indigenous traditions. This creature plays an important role in the material culture of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Abenaki peoples, representing resilience, protection, and the interconnectedness of life. Its presence in carvings, clothing, and storytelling speaks to its deep spiritual significance, one that Arlin has approached with reverence and care.
Key Detail – The Place Between Two Walls
Learn more about 'The Place Between Two Walls'
KEY DETAIL @keydetail “THE PLACE BETWEEN TWO WATERS”
This mural embodies the spirit of the region through a symbolic and naturalistic lens.
At its heart, two women stand poised in harmony, each embodying one of the two
waterways that shape the identity of the area. Between them, a serene landscape of
rolling hills and trees rises in the background, touched by the warm glow of a sunrise
over the water.
One of the women holds a steamboat gently in her hands, as if carrying the flow of
history and movement across the waters. The other woman holds a jug shaped like a
loon, pouring water — a symbol of life, nature, and the connection to local wildlife.
In the water below, we see fish like bass and salmon swimming, representing the area’s
rich aquatic life. This part of the mural celebrates outdoor fun and adventure, from
boating and hiking to peaceful days spent by the river.
The right side of the wall focuses on fishing. It highlights the joy of fishing tournaments
and time spent outdoors with family and friends.
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Key Detail – Andrei Krautsou
Originally from Belarus and now based in New York City, Key Detail creates mesmerizing murals that blend architecture, surrealism, and cultural storytelling. Their work can be found across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., with landmark pieces in Dubai, Taipei, Berlin, and Brooklyn. His murals often layer symbolism, natural forms, and dreamlike figures to evoke emotional and ecological narratives.
For his Ticonderoga mural, Key Detail is exploring the layered geography of our region—the waters that connect us, the fish and currents that pass between Lake George, the LaChute River, and Lake Champlain. Though the full design remains a surprise, it will speak to cycles, convergence, and the sacred ecology of place.
Discover their work:
Arcy – The Triumph
Learn more about 'The Triumph'
ARCY, @arcyart “The Triumph”
The mural’s featured oxen are shown larger than life as they trudge through the snow-
covered mountains pulling artillery to Cambridge upon General George Washington’s
orders. A soldier in uniform leads the oxen as he guides the noble train. The vivid
contrast and simplicity of color pallet adds to the tone of this winter day in 1775 as the
snow falls throughout the scene.
The mural’s design strives to honor the cultural history and heritage of Ticonderoga
while embodying an educational component that has the potential to uplift and inspire
the community through the beauty of public art.
Arcy – Ryan Christenson
Hailing from Connecticut, ARCY has become one of America’s most recognizable live muralists. He is known for his bold color, signature drips, and powerful photorealistic style. His works have appeared in all 50 U.S. states and abroad, and he has created major commissions for the Smithsonian Institution, Disney Fine Art, Major League Baseball, and the U.S. Open.
His live mural demonstrations are as dynamic as the works themselves. They capture the attention of crowds and transform spaces into vibrant historical or cultural tributes.
In Ticonderoga, ARCY has painted a scene that took place right here in our town—a moment from the Revolutionary War that helped shape the course of the nation. The mural hints at cannon wheels, oxen, and a soldier whose story has slipped from the textbooks but not from the soul of this place. It’s a local story with national resonance, and ARCY’s vision is the perfect way to bring it to light.
Learn more about ARCY’s work:
Tim Parsley – The Workers of Ti
Learn more about 'The Workers of Ti'
TIM PARSLEY, @TimParsley “THE WORKERS OF TI”
Tim Parsley utilized several historic reference images in his interpretive work titled, “The
Workers of Ti.”
The mill worker depiction created by the artist, Tim Parsley, is composed of two
historical photographs. The portrait of the mill workers was donated to the Ticonderoga
Heritage Museum with other photographs and mill documents. Unfortunately, there was
no information on the photo and the donor had no information. The period appears to be
in the late 1800s or early 1900s. The location is difficult to determine due to the close-up
nature of the view and no ability to really see the facility. Photographs of this type would
have been for some kind of significant event or project. This could be the
lower mill when it underwent a construction project in 1906—but that is conjecture. This
could also be from the Island Mill that was constructed in 1891 or it could be from either
the A or B mill. It is hard to tell.
These reference images were provided by the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum.
The mural reference image that Tim Parsley used for the top of the mural is what
became known as the “B” mill of International Paper Company. This was originally the
Lake George Paper Company, which was merged, like many northeast mills, to form the
International Paper Company in 1898. The view is looking east/southeast across La
Chute River, then Ticonderoga Creek and from what today is Lord Howe Street.
Information was verified by Mark A. Wright, Former Supervisor, Town of Ticonderoga.
TIM PARSLEY, @TimParsley “THE WORKERS OF TI”
Tim Parsley is a nationally acclaimed artist and educator whose large-scale public murals vividly explore themes of American history and cultural memory. Known for his bold visual storytelling, his work has transformed cityscapes across the globe—from Cincinnati to Nairobi—infusing public spaces with rich historical narratives.
As an Associate Professor of Studio Art at the University of Saint Francis, Tim is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of artists, seamlessly blending his creative practice with his passion for education.
For his Ticonderoga mural, Tim honored the town’s industrial roots by drawing inspiration from a historic photograph of former International Paper Mill workers, capturing the spirit and legacy of a community built by its labor force.
Want to learn more about Tim’s artistic journey? Check out this in-depth interview:
Enjoy the 2025 WBW recap!
Listen to the EQX live broadcast during the Walls event
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