History’s Hometown will soon have another mural to honor a famous Auburn resident and his staff.
The Cayuga Museum of History & Art and Case Research Lab has announced it has partnered with Arthur the Artist and A&M Graphics to create a mural honoring the legacy of inventor and philanthropist Theodore Case, his family, and the Case Research Lab team.
“This really reflects the move we’ve taken in the last few years to expand the Case Lab story,” said, Director of Development and Outreach Geoff Starks.
Ted Case founded the Case Research Lab in 1916 and went on to invent the first commercially viable system of making sound films.
Aside from their scientific achievements, the Case family were noted philanthropists. Ted’s father Willard Case provided the funding to create the Seymour Library and his cousins, Caroline and Georgiana Willard, funded the creation of the Willard Memorial Chapel. Ted donated his mansion at 203 Genesee Street to create the Cayuga Museum.
Starks said that the design of the mural, titled Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound & Light, has been completed thanks to support from a New York State Council on the Arts grant. The museum is currently raising funds to install it on the side of 41 Genesee Street in the heart of downtown Auburn.
“This is the most exciting phase. This is the part of getting a design on that wall for everyone to see,” Starks continued.
Arthur the Artist also spoke to Finger Lakes News Radio. He said he’s excited to see the project enter a new phase as he wants this mural to represent more than just Case’s life.
“It’s going to be about him and his lab and his team and the impact that his creations have had on the world… It’s not just about history; it’s about everything that goes into making something world-changing,” said Arthur.
While Case often gets overshadowed by other famous Auburnians like Harriet Tubman or William Seward, Arthur is hopeful his mural artwork will help give Case and his team the recognition they deserve. Additionally, he hopes area children learning about the lab will be inspired to explore STEM fields.
With community support and donations, Starks and Arthur said they hope to see the mural installed in 2025.
This will be the third mural Arthur the Artist has made for downtown Auburn. He is also responsible for the Welcome to Auburn mural above Nash’s Framing & Art at 12 State Street and the Harriet Tubman mural at the Nolan Block. When complete, this will be his largest mural to date.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
