Business owner’s mural a case of inspiration, for the books
The new mural making a splash at Creative Minds of Northern New York at 646 Coffeen St., appears, at first glance, to be just a portrayal of a bunch of books, quite appropriate for the learning center.
But not if you read into the matter.
The mural, approximately 12-by-15-feet, which faces Sill Street and is created by Kelly Curry, is a standout statement about the love of reading and the power it can have, commissioned by someone who has devoted her life to teaching the written word.
“Reading has pretty much been my life,” said Creative Minds owner Paula J. Amato, Sackets Harbor, who taught reading for 32 years at Carthage Central School District. “It’s shaped who I am.”
The mural features a dozen books.
“I picked half the books that influenced me and half that influenced my daughter,” Amato said. “Half are valuable to me, half are valuable to her, and with a few in there which I hooked my students with.”
Her daughter, Natalli M. Amato, is a freelance writer who lives in Saratoga. She has written for several publications, such as Rolling Stone, Spirituality & Health, Taste of Country and Saratoga Living.
Natalli began releasing poetry in 2019, when her debut collection “On a Windless Night,” was published by Ra Press.
Her mom “snuck” that book into the Creative Minds mural; third from left. “It’s beautiful north country poetry,” Paula said. “She loves to write about the north country and her roots.”
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