SouthWorks and Ithaca Murals to host inaugural mural invitational 

On Oct. 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the community is invited to join 10 local, regional, and national artists at SouthWorks for Ithaca’s inaugural Mural Invitational, produced in collaboration with Ithaca Murals. During the Invitational, muralists will complete 10 large-scale original works and lead a variety of hands-on and arts-focused activities, including community paint sessions, mural technique workshops, and artist talks. 

SouthWorks repurposes a historic industrial manufacturing site into a destination neighborhood, blending adaptive reuse and new construction across 95 acres on Ithaca’s South Hill. “These murals will mark the start of a new chapter in the factory’s history,” said Sarah Barden, Community Outreach & Leasing Coordinator for SouthWorks development partner SHIFT Capital, “and we’re so excited to partner with this diverse group of initial artists and our Tompkins County neighbors to leave their mark on the site.” 

Ithaca Murals is a grassroots network that has been transforming grey walls into beautiful works of art since 2010, while advocating for joyful lives and justice for all. 

“We have been wanting to have a mural event like this for years so this is a dream come true,” said Caleb Thomas, coordinator of Ithaca Murals, which is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. “If the event in October is successful, this will be the first annual collaboration with SouthWorks painting walls throughout the half-mile-long buildings.” 

Artists Audra Linsner, Clove Flores, Eric Bussart, Kristin Dutcher, LaJon Miller, Margalo, Maya Murray, Sergio Arce, Tino Lopez, and Wingchow have each designed a mural specific to the building exteriors along Lower Morse Road, which leads directly to the future home of Found in Ithaca, a beloved antique mall opening at their new location in late Fall 2025. Paint & painting supplies have been generously provided by Meldrim’s Paint Center. 

The event is also supported by the Community Arts Partnership and the Argos Inn. For more information about the Mural Invitational visit southworksithaca.com/events or contact Sarah Barden at sbarden@shiftcapital.us and Caleb Thomas at 607-273-5242 (text friendly).