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What was once a gray concrete tunnel leading beachgoers to the sand at Smith Point County Park has been transformed into a colorful gallery showcasing the work of Suffolk County’s youngest artists.
County officials, nonprofit Splashes of Hope and dozens of student artists gathered Wednesday to unveil the newly completed mural installation inside one of the park’s pedestrian tunnels, where 36 student-designed works now greet visitors on their way to the beach.
The murals were selected from more than 150 entries submitted through a countywide student art contest launched earlier this year. Students from kindergarten through college were invited to create original artwork centered on themes including ocean conservation, beach safety, mental health, environmental awareness, Suffolk County history and a day at the beach.
Professional mural artists from Splashes of Hope then recreated the winning designs across the tunnel walls.
The project began when Suffolk County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Chief Deputy Commissioner Jason Smagin approached Splashes of Hope with the idea of transforming the well-traveled tunnel.
“When he showed us this dark and gray, windswept tunnel, he asked, ‘Isn’t this a great place for a splash?’ We instantly agreed,” said Heather Buggée, founder of Splashes of Hope.
Rather than designing the murals themselves, the organization decided to invite the community to help shape the project.
“This year, because the tunnel leads to the TWA Memorial site, we invited students from kindergarten through college, and even Suffolk County senior citizens, to submit their original designs,” Buggée said. “The result is a tunnel filled with creativity, positive messages, beach safety reminders and environmental awareness.”
Founded in 1996, Splashes of Hope is best known for creating colorful murals in hospitals and healthcare facilities to make clinical spaces more welcoming. The organization has since expanded its work into schools, municipalities and other public spaces across Long Island.
Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella said Smith Point was the ideal location for the project.
“It is a privilege to represent a district that encompasses the amazing Smith Point Park,” Mazzarella said. “Out of the entire Suffolk County park system, this is the busiest park we have. To have this artwork on display here, it’s certainly going to be appreciated by more residents than any other park in the system.”
He told the students their artwork would become part of the park’s identity for years to come.
“Your artwork is going to become part of the community’s story, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who visits this park,” Mazzarella said. “Together, you have transformed this ordinary passageway into a vibrant work of public art that will inspire residents and visitors for years to come.”
Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine praised the project for bringing art beyond the walls of traditional museums.
“Not all the great art is in museums,” Romaine said. “Some of it’s on cement walls by artists that are up and coming.”
He thanked the student artists for transforming what had once been an unremarkable walk to the beach.
“You make walking through the tunnel, which was not always the best experience, a great experience on the way to the ocean,” he said with a laugh.
The newly unveiled installation marks the second collaboration between Splashes of Hope and Suffolk County Parks at Smith Point. An earlier project transformed a neighboring pedestrian tunnel with an underwater-themed mural, while the newest installation celebrates original artwork created by local students that will be seen by thousands of beachgoers throughout the summer.
Scroll down for more from the tunnel
Photos by Julianne Mosher
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