The “Wellsville Mural” officially introduced

The mural is on the north side of the L’Italia building

By Kathryn Ross, pictured is the mural by artist Corinn Marriott

Friday, the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wellsville Development Corporation introduced the finished Wellsville Mural to the community.

Nearly 50 people turned out as Chamber of Commerce Director Bruce Thomas introduced both the mural and artist Corinn Marriott to the those gathered to gaze at the giant mural painted on the north wall of L’Italia on Main Street. Several of Wellsville’s iconic buildings are included in the mural – the David A. Howe Library, the Genesee River complete with a fisherman and kayaker, The Immaculate Conception Church, Pink House, Tullar Field, the Triangle Well oil derrick, Shane T. Colligan Memorial Gazebo, the Wellsville Country Club golf course, four hot air balloons, flowers and wildlife.

According to Marriott, it took her the past six weeks and four weeks in the late summer early fall of 2024 before it turned cool and wet to complete the mural. She said there was no damage from the winter to repair, before starting this year. Helping her out this time around was one of her former students from Keuka College Ema Gifford. Marriott is now a full-time professor at RIT.

She said, “I think it turned out well and I appreciate all the support I got from the community.”

Stepping before the crowd Thomas explained the idea for the mural grew out of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Chamber last year. He said, “We were trying to think of other ways to celebrate the anniversary and Carrie Redmond (head of the WDC) suggested that we do a mural, I said that I thought it was a great idea as long as we got the artist (Marriott) who did that, he said gesturing to the mural on the side of the Wellsville Brewing Company across the street and only a few yards away from the Wellsville Mural.

He added that the other problem with the mural was where to put it. He thanked the owners of L’Italia, Jasmine and Casie Maglier for stepping up and allowing the mural to be painted on the north side of their Main Street eatery.

“I don’t know where else we would have put it,” Thomas admitted.

Marriott is a former resident of Wellsville who now lives in the Finger Lakes area. She has designed and painted murals for several communities in the Finger Lakes and Western New York area.

“I think this mural is an exciting addition to the community of Wellsville and there’s a lot of people to thank for supporting the mural project. We hope this mural will bring more beauty and community pride to Wellsville and it is something to be proud of for a very long time,” Thomas said.

 As part of the ceremony Friday, the Chamber revealed a plaque located on the Main Street side of the mural listing the names of the donors: