MINI
FEATURE SPRING/SUMMER 2020
EXPLORING DOWNTOWN
ROYAL SQUARE MURALS YOUR GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Story by: Elaine Bonneau, Director, Downtown Inc Art abounds everywhere in York. Thanks to a collaboration in summer 2019 by The Parliament Arts Organization, Sprocket Mural Works, and several local artists a fresh crop of creative expression adorns the exterior of several buildings in the heart of downtown. The Royal Square District (aptly named as a nod to its main thoroughfares Queen, King, Princess, and Duke streets) has become a destination for the murals, which are interspersed with unique shopping venues, salons, art galleries, breweries, and more. Whether you have an hour or an afternoon, you can enjoy this self-guided tour at your own pace. Discover a few of our favorites.
For a full list and map of murals, shopping, and more in Royal Square, visit royalsquaredistrict.com/murals Recommended Route: start in the Royal Square Courtyard behind The Cantina and walk through to South Howard Street, round the corner on Newton Avenue, then circle around to Collusion Tapworks.
NASTURTI UM
By Jacintha Clark • Royal Square Courtyard Photo courtesy of Dani Fresh Originally from New Mexico, artist Jacintha Clark now works in York and Philadelphia. To Jacintha, painting murals is about finding a deeper connection with a space as a canvas and a location inhabited by individuals and their community. Jacintha loves painting flowers for their universality. Why a nasturtium flower for Royal Square? The nasturtium is used to add a warm, peppery taste to food. These red and yellow flowers are also symbolic of the diverse art, music and food that make Royal Square a creative hub. Jacinthaclark.com
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O RACL E
By Aron Rook • Royal Square Courtyard Photo courtesy of The Cantina
UN TI TL ED
By Ralphie Sequinot
Artist Aron Rook of Carlisle shared his inspiration for this mural and the meaning South Howard Street, located by the rear entrance of behind the imagery. He explains that owls are typically nocturnal creatures living Artemis Vintage in the darkness. This owl is courageous, swooping out of the darkness and being a Photo courtesy of Sprocket Mural Works guardian of those who bravely step out of their own form of darkness. Artist Ralphie Sequinot allows you to get lost in this untitled piece and find your own meaning and emotion. This intimate embrace has become the Aron Kylene Rook Aronrookart backdrop of marriage proposals, professional wedding photoshoots and countless spontaneous selfies. You don’t want to miss seeing this one. SR81art
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F LOWER P OWER
By Victor Manuel Rivera III Rear entrance of Artemis Vintage, along South Howard Street Photo courtesy of Dani Fresh This mural features the work of Victor Manuel Rivera III, otherwise known as VMR3, a Los Angeles–based artist originally from Lancaster. Located by the entrance to Royal Square’s Poetry Garden, VMR3 saw it as the perfect spot to paint these vibrant flowers popping with color, bringing yearround beauty to the organic garden space. Vmr3.com
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REB I RTH
by Jonathan “Skilz” Molina South Howard Street, adjacent to the Collusion Tapworks parking lot Photo courtesy of Dani Fresh Rebirth is the work of Jonathan “Skilz” Molina, an artist born and raised in York. For the “Rebirth” mural, Skilz found inspiration by reflecting on both God and his mother, Yolanda Alicea. Don’t miss this photo moment: stand in front of the mural and take on butterfly wings. You can also see more of Molina’s work inside The Skilztat2
Cantina restaurant, just through the Royal Square Courtyard, where his murals are featured throughout the dining space.
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YO R K
By Chelsea Foster South Howard Street, adjacent to the Collusion Tapworks parking lot Photo courtesy Chelsea Foster
Chelsea Foster is a York native, and she has become well-known for her intricate hand-lettering. This mural makes careful use of both geometric shapes as well as her signature lettering style to arch the middle letters of the word “York” so that viewers can stand in front for a picture and not cover up the art! Locals and tourists alike gravitate to the creativity and thoughtfulness of Foster’s mural, and it has become a go-to for headshots, senior photos, and weddings. Chelseafoster.com
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LO O KI NG BACK
By Andi Simpson • Collusion Tapworks Photo courtesy of Dani Fresh Andi Simpson is a York County native and now lives in York City. Her paintings begin with a foundation comprised of multiple layers of color and a variety of textures. Building from that background, she allows intuition to guide her. Defined shapes and forms present themselves organically as the piece progresses. With this piece, Simpson focuses on personal vanity and how it has morphed over the years with technology yet, in many ways, remains the same. Yes …you should take a selfie here. Andiann.studio
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LO O K IN G BA C K
By Andi Simpson • Collusion Tapworks Photo courtesy of Dani Fresh
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