ROXBURY, N.Y. — The Roxbury Arts Group has announced the recipients of its 2026 Smart Energy Art Grant, supporting three public art projects focused on clean energy, environmental stewardship and community engagement in Delaware County.
The grant program, themed “Our Common Clean Energy Future,” is intended to support new artwork that raises awareness of clean energy programs while encouraging residents to reduce energy use and their carbon footprint.
The three funded projects are Kinetic Commons, presented by the Pakatakan Farmers Market in partnership with artist Mika Taga; the Arkville Community Mural, presented by the Arkville Caboose Building in partnership with artist Joanna Murphy; and EcoAction Cards, created by artist Kathleen Sweeney.
Kinetic Commons will feature a kinetic public sculpture made from reclaimed wood and salvaged metal. Created by Taga in partnership with the Pakatakan Farmers Market, the installation will use wind energy to create movement, highlighting how individual actions can contribute to broader environmental change. A public unveiling is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Round Barn.
The Arkville Community Mural will replace the original mural at the Arkville Caboose Building, located at 43263 Route 28 along the Catskills Scenic Byway, which cannot be preserved because of construction. Murphy, who painted the original mural, will create the new work with imagery inspired by rural community resilience, environmental stewardship, renewable energy and the future of small Catskills towns. Organizers plan to involve local students and community members in the project. A public unveiling is planned for fall 2026.
Sweeney’s EcoAction Cards project, titled “All Hands on Deck!”, is an interactive card deck created in collaboration with 12 eco-artists to encourage creative approaches to climate action. A free public launch celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1053 Gallery in Fleischmanns. Participating artists will also take part in a public talk.
The Smart Energy Art Grant is funded through Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Smart Energy Choices program and its Regional Clean Energy Hub for the Southern Tier, and is administered locally by the Roxbury Arts Group. The Smart Energy Choices program serves eight counties in the Southern Tier and is supported in part by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Regional Clean Energy Hub Program.
The Roxbury Arts Group said its programs also receive support from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, the Tianaderrah Foundation, The Delaware National Bank of Delhi and individual supporters.