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The Fairport Public Arts Commission (FPAC) was formed in April 2016 to facilitate the incorporation of public art in The Village of Fairport. FPAC oversees the public arts process within the Village, updates the Public Art Plan, and makes approvals and recommendations to the Village Board regarding commissions and investments in the Village’s public artwork collection and programs. The committee is comprised of seven members appointed by the Mayor.
The committee began meeting in June 2016 and have been integral in the successful installation six permanent public art installations. Additionally, the committee has organized various art focused community events such as the annual Chalk Art Contest at Fairport's Canal Days, the "Great Mini Duck Race" at the Fringe Festival, the Virtual Duck Race (fun run) & Art Scavenger Hunt, outdoor movies, 6x6 parties, and much more. Please complete this form when you'd like to collaborate with the Fairport Public Arts Committee! Where is Fairport?
The Village of Fairport is in Western New York, located within the Town of Perinton in the southeast portion of Monroe County. It is approximately eight miles from the City of Rochester, the region’s center city. Fairport is a quaint village community of about 6,000 people located along the Erie Canal. It covers an area of more than 900 acres and features quiet residential neighborhoods with tree lined streets, a commercial district with unique shops and restaurants, and many businesses and industries. Learn more here! Rich History and Ties to the Canal Fairport was first settled in 1810 and grew with the success of the Erie Canal. It was not until 1822, three years before the completion of the Erie Canal, that Fairport really began to thrive. With the Canal open from Rochester to Little Falls, land was cleared and several farms sprang up in and around the area. In 1827, the Fairport Hotel was built and in 1829 the Post Office was moved from Fullamtown to Fairport. The Canal became an important transportation route and Fairport, with a hotel and a post office, became a popular stop for travelers. In fact, Fairport got its name from canal travelers who labeled the stop as a “pretty fair port.” The name stuck. With the coming of the railroad in 1853 and the success of the Canal, Fairport’s population began to grow. People that once lived in surrounding areas, such as Egypt, moved and settled near the Canal. Fairport experienced steady growth and by the time it was incorporated in 1867 had a population of more than 1,000. As a canal port, Fairport was a destination for many local and regional farmers. Agricultural products, primarily potatoes, were shipped from the port, and businesses sprang up to serve workers with production and shipping companies. One prominent early industry was the DeLand Chemical Company, which produced chemicals such as potash from hardwood ashes during the mid 1800's. During the late 1800’s, the Sanitary Can Co., originally the A.H. Cobb Preserving Company, built a canning factory west of North Main Street, north of the railroad tracks. This company became the American Can Company in 1909 and remained Fairport's largest business until it closed in 1993. Today, Fairport, like the Canal, is different. Much of the local economic and employment base is service oriented. Many buildings that were once occupied by industrial uses have or will be converted to a mix of residential, retail, and office uses. The Canal is still a major focus for Fairport, as with many other communities across the State. Although it is no longer a major commercial waterway, it still draws thousands of people a year as a major recreational amenity. The people of Fairport recognize that its heritage as a small Canal village is one of its biggest assets and they are committed to preserving it. |
Committee MembersPat Rapp, Chairperson, Community Member
Bryce Doty, Vice-Chair, Art/Design Professional Sue Steele, Secretary, Art/Design Professional Kathleen Rullo, Merchants Association Tracy Briggs, Village Trustee Nancy Ragus, Faiport-Perinton Partnership Vanessa Sheldon, Art/Design Professional Committee Volunteers
Joel Cuminale
Marty Golia |
