Healing Tree Mural Unveiled by Scarsdale's National Art Honor Society Club

Healing Tree

On May 23, 2023, Scarsdale's National Art Honor Society Club (NAHSC) unveiled a new mural in front of DeCicco Family Market. The new mural has replaced the iconic Wing the Dale mural, which has been an integral community aspect since 2019.

In the late afternoon sun, members of the NAHSC assembled in front of DeCicco's East Parkway wall, along with Mayor Justin Arest and Amy Nadasdi, the Arts Advisory Council Chairperson. Nadasdi said, "This beautiful public art project demonstrates the student's commitment to fostering a sense of pride in our community and enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors to our Village Center."

Mayor Arest opened the ceremony with a few words on the importance of art in the community. Arest stated that art allows "…individuals to explore diverse perspectives and engage in critical thinking while also contributing to the community's cultural identity and cohesion." The new mural continues the Healing Tree project, which started with last year's Non-Sibi Day, which is meant to convey that color and light prevail in times of darkness.

After a few words from Nadasdi and Janna Johnsen, the High School Art Teacher, Frank Decicco, and Mayor Arest unveiled the mural, and tree branches' bright, swirling colors emerged into the sunlight. Now, the Healing Tree is not only at the High School but also in the Village.

Suler Lu is a graduating senior who joined the club in freshman year when they unveiled the Wing the Dale mural. She said that "It's come full circle. When we were first freshman, they had just wrapped up Wing the Dale, which was the first mural done in the Village. Now that we're leaving, we've left a new mural in the same spot." The new mural encourages kindness and happiness for Scarsdale residents and provides a poetic end to the graduating class's high school art careers.