Although Galia Gluckman was born, raised and currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa, the six years she previously spent residing in Great Neck left a lasting impression on the artist.
“I had my kids in Great Neck,” Gluckman said. “Then we moved back to South Africa to Cape Town because my husband has family there. A piece of me was definitely left in Great Neck.”
After more than six months of intense work, Gluckman returned to Great Neck earlier this month to leave another more tangible piece of herself behind for local residents.
During a ceremony at the Village of Great Neck Plaza’s Long Island Railroad North Station Plaza, Gluckman joined with local officials and residents to dedicate a mosaic she created as a piece of public art. Her creation entitled “Sunset on the Sound” was commissioned by the village as part of an on-going local beautification effort.
“It was so meaningful because, as I said, I had my kids in Great Neck,” Gluckman said. “I have very good friends in Great Neck. It felt so meaningful to be able to give back to a community that had given me so much.”
“It was so relevant,” she added, “that I would be able to leave a piece of myself in the form of my artwork in the town that has captured my heart.”
The mural, which is placed along a wall on an outdoor walkway leading up to the LIRR train station, was the first piece of public art created by Gluckman.
The village also added benches to the area last week and this spring will place a wooden trellis adorned with ivy behind the mural to complete the project. The project, which cost $25,000, was funded completely by corporate and private donations, Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said.
“I love the piece,” the mayor said. “I think it’s very beautiful. I think it’s soothing. Galia is a fantastic artist and I think she found a fantastic mosaic artist to take her work and interpret it into the mosaic piece.”
The project to create the mural began last year with nearly three months of work, in which Gluckman created the original artwork using her museum-quality “Giclee Printing” method.
“Giclee Printing” is a method of creating art in which entire mosaic-like scenes are pieced together using tiny pieces of magazine and painted paper that are then glued onto hardboard. Once the artwork is complete, it is protected by several layers of sealer.
When Gluckman finished her portion of the project, it was then delivered to South African mosaic artist Jane du Rand, who over another three month period, turned the original artwork into its current mosaic form.
The entire mosaic was later shipped in pieces to Great Neck Plaza where it was installed and dedicated on Sunday, Dec. 4.
“Really, how it all came together from another part of the world and then installed here, it shows you the world we’re living in,” Gluckman said.
“I hope (Great Neck residents) feel proud that they’re living in a place that would invest in art because I believe that our surroundings define us. I hope it gives people a lot of pride and pleasure and it encourages them to want more beautiful things around them.”
Gluckman’s work was chosen for the project from a pool of five applicants.
The mural, which depicts a beach scene in the Great Neck Park District’s Steppingstone Park, was chosen by the Great Neck Plaza Public Art Advisory Group for a variety of reasons.
“It’s not one flat plane,” Celender said of the mosaic’s tiles. “They have texture, so that when the light hits it, It shines and glitters. It’s magnificent. It’s beautiful. It adds tranquility to a spot there.”
“When you think about a bustling train station you have a piece that people can get a sense of tranquility and peace and nature,” she added. “I’m very excited with how it came out.”
The process to decide on a name for the mural, however, wasn’t always as serene.
Gluckman originally intended to call the mural “Steppingstone,” but village officials asked her to change the name after the Great Neck Parks District Board of Commissioners raised concerns that the mural would encourage non-parks-district residents to visit the park.
Although the mural did create a measure of controversy, Celender said she was pleased with the process and the completed project.
“I think (murals) are something that are very special,” Celender said. “For this village, it is something unique. I think our downtown, we’re cited often, as having one of the best downtowns on Long Island. I think it’s for having things like this, features that are unique to our downtown.”
And Celender said this likely won’t be the last.
To begin its beautification effort, the Great Neck Plaza Public Art Advisory Group commissioned a mural created by William M. Cochran in 2005, which is located on the south facade of a building at the corner of Middle Neck Road and Maple Drive.
The mural, entitled “A Handful of Keys,” depicts six Great Neck children, including Olympic figure skater and gold medalist Sarah Hughes at four years of age.
The village has also commissioned several other works of art located around the community, including several sculptures and paintings done by Great Neck students.
For Celender, keeping her village active in the arts has been important.
“There’s a lot that it tells us about our community,” Celender said. “The biggest feature is that it tells us that we value art. That’s always a sign of a vibrant community when it values art and shows it in such a significant way.”
Celender said Gluckman’s mural also holds another valuable function besides beautifying the train station.
“Not only is it something nice to look at, but it’s desirable to help our merchants,” Celender said. “That’s really why we’re doing public art. It helps to promote eco-tourism. It’s a downtown revitalization initiative. It celebrates our community and heritage.”
