Galway Mural Pays Homage to Community

On Tuesday afternoon community members gathered at Galway Nature Preserve for a mural unveiling on Saratoga Preserving Land and Nature’s (PLAN) stewardship resource center. The mural was funded by a grant from Saratoga Arts.

“We’re hoping to have both sides and the front to represent the three pillars of land that Saratoga PLAN conserves, which is woodlands, farmlands, and wetlands,” said Stewardship Manager, Magnolia Roosa.

Long time Galway resident Sallie Way was the commissioned artist for the project.

Last year Way painted the right side of the building to represent the woodlands, this year the front facing mural represents the farmlands of Galway.

Way started conceptualizing the mural last winter in anticipation of a renewed grant from Saratoga Arts.

“I looked into a lot of the archival photographs that the library has, the farmer is inspired by one of the photographs of James Donnan,” Way said.

The barn is inspired by Donnandale farm, a sixth-generation family farm founded by James Donnan. On the right side of the mural are Christmas trees representing beloved local business, Bob’s Trees.

“This was quite an undertaking, a little ambitious, but it really came together,” Way said. “I think I’m most happy with all the connections that I made throughout the process.”

Galway high school seniors helped Way paint the mural and local dog walkers and hikers stopped while Way and her crew were battling the august heat to complete the mural. One hiker even played his Guitar for the volunteers.

The Galway Nature Preserve is overseen by Saratoga PLAN and contains about two and a half miles of trails and almost 50 acres of conserved forest land. Check out the mural and trail system at 2519 Crane Road, Galway, NY.