Author Archive
New group to promote public art in Fairport
February 4th, 2011 | 
Author: 
What impact can public art have on a village? That’s a question Fairport resident Zak Steele and fellow volunteers in the new public arts committee are looking to answer.
As part of the Fairport Village Partnership’s ongoing effort to promote the village as a place to visit and live, the committee was formed as a spin-off to the FVP’s design committee in September.
Steele, project manager at Bayer Landscape Architecture, is chairing the new program, whose first task is to draft a plan for the commissioning, funding and guidelines of installing public art.
Why public art? For one thing, it helps the local economy by drawing more foot traffic to nearby businesses, Steele explained. “It increases general desirability and character of the village,” he added.
Fairport native Gian-Paul Piane is one of the 12 committee members. He chairs the FVP’s design committee and, in addition to working as an architect for SEI Design Group in Rochester, teaches design and furniture making at RIT.
The idea for forming a group came from the need to fill what Piane calls “holes in the fabric of the village” inside public buildings or out in the open air. There are currently several installations of public art in Fairport including the mural in front of the Village Hall, sculptures at the library and a mural at the Fairport Historical Society building, but Piane said public art consists of more than just paintings or sculpture.
“We don’t just think it’s sculpture or paintings,” he said. “It’s music and even art education. It goes beyond just physical media.”
For this reason, Steele said the committee will explore ways to bring events centered around the arts to bring residents together but also draw interest from visitors who are passing through.
“It adds another layer of cultural excitement for people coming in and for those who live here,” said Steele.
The committee hopes to have the first draft of their plan by January.
Historic Interpretive Signage
Project complete with installation of Kennelley Park Info Kiosk and replacement of North Bank Bulletin cases.
Mayor and DPW employee discuss sign installation
Mayor and DPW employee discuss sign installation
A three year project to research, write, design, produce and install 13 historic interpretive signs about the history of Fairport has concluded with the installation of a brand new information kiosk at Kennelley Park on Main St. and the replacement of three information bulletin cases on the North Bank along the Box Factory.
Solaris Time in Kennelley Park nears an End
Effort underway to keep it in Fairport; Funding, donors sought
The steel and glass sculpture known as Solaris, which has graced the Main Street entrance of Kennelley Park since August of 2008, may soon be moved to a new home. The question is where.
Intended as the first in a series of “rotating” exhibits, the piece was selected by the Design Committee of the Fairport Village Partnership and leased through funding made available by the Fairport Office of Community and Economic Development. Now, the 18 month term of the lease has expired. In the near term the artist has agreed to leave the work in its current location. But with the lease expired the art is on the market and funds, approximately $10,000, must be raised in order to retain it permanently in the village.
Those interested in public art or have ideas about funding or programming can contact the Fairport Village Partnership at 585-377-6010 or at info@fairportpartnership.org
Read the full press release (PDF).
Posted in 
Fairport Pharmacy Celebrates another Grand Opening
Growing, local independent occupies new, larger location
Fairport Mayor Frederick “Fritz” May and Assemblyman David Koon recently joined owner/pharmacist, Paula Lewyckyj to celebrate the grand opening of the new Village Landing location of Fairport Pharmacy. Formerly located on North Main Street, the new location offers a larger space for the growing business. Co-workers, friends, family and customers also attended the grand opening event, which was open to the public.
From L to R: Assemblyman David Koon, Owner/Pharmacist Paula Lewyckyj, Fairport Mayor Frederick “Fritz” May, cut the ribbon formally opening Fairport Pharmacy.
(Photo courtesy Keith Boas Photography)
After two years of steady business growth, the business had outgrown its original location. “We desperately needed more space and more parking, this new location gives us plenty of both” said Lewycykyi, who currently employs four staffers: three part-time pharmacy technicians and a part-time delivery driver. The original North Main Street location had 780 square feet; the Village Landing Location has 2,500 square feet.
New at this location is a gift department managed by veteran retailer Fran Wells of Fairport. “We’re aspiring to have a comfortable place for people to come in and be immersed in things that are important to their total well-being” said Wells.
Fairport Pharmacy hours of operation are: Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday, 9am-2 pm. Closed Sunday. After-hours consultation and emergency service are available 24/7 by calling 585-678-4258. All insurances are accepted.
Read the full press release (PDF).
Front-porch Friendly
The Fairport Village Partnership (FVP) has published the 2010 Front Porches of Fairport Calendar; the first of what they hope will be an annual publication.
(Click for larger version)
“They’re the perfect holiday gift for friends and family. Particularly those who may have moved out of the area or spend the winter in warmer climes, but want to be reminded each day of the hometown they love,” said Clark King, former village mayor and current chairman of the FVP’s steering committee.
The calendar is available now at popular Fairport outlets including the Red Bird Market, Seasons of Fairport, Main Street Mercantile, Gift Ferry’s, Sew Creative, Moonlight Creamery, Perinton Historical Society and other local businesses. Copies will also be available at the FPMA/FVP booth at Kennelley Park during the festival, or by contacting the FVP office, at 377-6010, during regular business hours to reserve copies.
The press run was limited to only 2000 calendars. The fixed retail price is $15. All proceeds benefit the Fairport Village Partnership, one of the village’s economic development organizations.
Small Business Breakfast Seminar
The Fairport Public Library and the Fairport Village Partnership will host another of their free Small Business Breakfast Seminars on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am in the Elma Gaffney Meeting Room of the library.
Fairport CPA, Paul O’Keefe, will present a program, Tax Law Changes and You: It’s not too late to start planning to save! In this program, he will give an overview of 2009 tax law changes and things to do before the end of the year to save on both personal and small business income taxes.
Registration is requested for this free program at which a continental breakfast is provided. Register online at www.fairportlibrary.org or by telephone at 223-9091.
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Fairport Village Partnership web page!
We are still under construction….so check back soon!
Scarecrow Festival
Saturday, October 10, 9AM – 9PM
A Fairport tradition continues on Saturday, October 10, 2009 when the Fairport Scarecrow Festival kicks off the fall season in this canalside community as dozens of scarecrows will adorn Main Street.
As in previous years, there’ll be plenty of food, music, dancing and children’s activities, including pumpkin painting and bobbing for apples, all in conjunction with a classic merchant’s sidewalk sale.
This year, the event opens with the Safe Journey 5k Run through the Village of Fairport and Town of Perinton. Registration begins at 7:30 am at village hall and the race starts at 9am.
Performances by Bart and Kevin – sponsored by the Friends of the Fairport Public Library, airport Fire Department Band, Lakeside Country Cloggers, Fiddlers of the Genesee, Boland Irish Dancers, and a special performance by 16 year-old country music singing sensation Corenna Ann will take place at the Kennelley Park Gazebo.
The Fairport Fire Department will conduct their open house from 11am-3pm with a concert by the Fairport Fire Department Band at 1pm. The Fairport Police Department will hold an open house from 10am ‘til 3pm, and will be offering senior safety checks as well as distributing free Safe Kids ID booklets, provided by the merchants association. The Fairport Historical Museum will also be open for tours from 2-4pm
New this year, the event will culminate with the Tapas Pub “Scare” Crawl. Scare Crawlers will sample signature fare of Donnelly’s, Mulconry’s, the Blue Cactus and the Fairport Village Inn. The event begins at 7pm, cost is $10, tickets are available in advance at the Fairport Village Partnership office in the Box Factory, at the FVP/FPMA booth the day of the festival and at Donnelly’s the night of the crawl. Costumes are optional.
Fairport Tapas Pub Crawl Returns
4th Annual tour of Fairport restaurants features “little meals”
The Fairport Village Partnership will host another “Tapas Pub Crawl” on Saturdays, Aug. 8. The ever-popular annual event will feature signature dishes from several village pubs.
The Aug. 8 Crawl will begins at 7 p.m., at Donnelly’s Public House and “crawlers” will follow John McConnell, Fairport’s King of the Crawl, on to Mulconry’s Irish Pub and Restaurant; the Blue Cactus Mexican Grille; and then north to the Fairport Village Inn.
Tickets are $10 per person and available on site. Each crawler will receive mementos and tickets to win a custom-designed flag at each pub. Proceeds benefit the Fairport Village Partnership.
Here is the list of dishes and their descriptions expected to be featured during the Aug. 8th Crawl.
| Facility | Dish |
| Donnelly’s | Pulled pork sliders in traditional or Guinness BBQ |
| Mulconry’s | Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Nachos |
| Blue Cactus | Tamales; a selection of homemade salsas (spicy hot, medium heat and mild, smoky) and Totopos; Taquitos served with Crema Agria; and Elote, corn on the cob Mexican style |
| Village Inn | Wild mushroom roll up: wild mushrooms, feta cheese, in Phyllo dough with demi-glace |
For more information about the “Crawl” call 585-377-6010.
Family of Celtic Jewelers Open Store in Fairport
Celtic jewelry designer Stephen Walker is moving his Park Avenue Rochester store to Fairport’s Packets Landing. Walker’s Celtic Jewelry is a satellite store for Walker Metalsmiths of Andover, NY.
The Walkers celebrated their 25th anniversary in business this year, although Stephen Walker’s work with precious metals and Celtic design goes back much earlier. The store will feature their original gold and silver designs authentically crafted in the living tradition of the Irish and Scots as well as some of the being created in Ireland and Scotland.
Walker’s Celtic Jewelry at 140 Packetts Landing in Fairport is open and will be hosting a visit by renowned Irish Metalsmith Aiden Breen who will be doing live demonstrations of his craft during Canal Days, June 6 & 7.
Walker’s Celtic Jewelry, 140 Packett’s Landing, Fairport, NY 14450 Phone: 585-223-7033 www.walkerscelticjewelry.com Store Hours: 11am-7pm Tues-Fri., Sat., Sun., Mon. 11am – 5pm.
Fairport Canal Days
Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7
The Fairport Village Partnership invites you to join us at Fairport Canal Days. The festival is one of the premier annual Arts and Crafts festivals in the Northeast, attracting nearly a quarter-million visitors each year! Come enjoy (and buy) the works hundreds of artisan, eat great food, and mingle with friends and soon-to-be friends.
Fairport Police Chief to Lead Seminar
Session Focus: Problem Oriented Policing, Small Businesses Issues
Village Business Owners Urged to Attend
Problem Oriented Policing: Fairport Police Chief, Maureen Chisholm presents and discusses new strategies for police, citizens, and business people to partner in identifying solutions to crime and quality of life issues in the community. An open forum Q&A will also be held. All are welcome. Business owners in the Village of Fairport are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to meet the chief and ask questions on topics of particular concern to them.
The session will be held Tuesday, April 7 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Elma Gaffney Meeting Room of the Fairport Public Library. Continental breakfast is provided for participants at this free workshop. Register online at www.fairportlibrary.org or by telephone at 223-9091.
The Economic Restructuring Committee of the Fairport Village Partnership (FVP), in collaboration with the Fairport Public Library, hosts this latest in a series of Small Business Breakfast Seminars focusing on needs of the small business owner/operator doing business in New York State and particularly Fairport.
Subscribe now to receive our Newsletter!
