45-Year-Old Working Brooklyn Waterfront Mural to Be Rededicated Tuesday, May 13th At Its New Home Inside Brooklyn Passenger Ship Terminal |
05/13/2008 |
“The Working Brooklyn Waterfront”, a stunning mural created by the late artist Bernard Seaman in 1963 offers a wonderful glance into New York’s and the ILA’s maritime history. Local 1814 commissioned the work to grace the lobby of its Medical Center on Court Street. The mural illustrates longshoremen at work with the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty in the background.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2008, that mural will be on display and officially rededicated at ceremonies at its new home inside the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal from 12 noon until 1 p.m.
Louis Pernice, the current President of Local 1814 and its membership, spearheaded the efforts to save this important link to their past and find an appropriate place to display it after the medical center closed several years ago. Where better than the new Brooklyn Cruise Terminal where Bernard Seaman’s mural will be seen by travelers on the world’s most magnificent passenger ships of the Cunard and Princess Lines?
Workers at New York Container Terminal and HAVOC Media Design handled the intricate task of removing each fragile panel, then crating it for transport. Prior to installation at the Passenger Ship Terminal, a new custom framework had to be created. Again, NYCT’s crane department handled the task. With its new framing and custom lighting installed, “The Working Brooklyn Waterfront” is ready for its new home.
“It’s wonderful that this important and valuable piece of our ILA history will be preserved and seen by countless travelers as they make their way through the passenger terminal,” said Mr. Pernice. “I’m grateful our current and future ILA membership will come to work and see a mural that was enjoyed by our members from more than 40 years ago.”
James Devine and Doug Jimenez of New York Container Terminal were instrumental in transporting and reassembling the mural, according to Mr. Pernice. Others offering valuable assistance in the mural project were Arie Von Tol, John Wagner and Michael Deveney of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Andrew Genn and David Alvarez of New York City Economic Development Corporation; NYCT Crane and Maintenance Department/ILA Local 1814 members: Ralph Bertelle, Giuseppe Marinelli, Ralph A. Bertelle, Carmino Almeida, Vincent Carrao, Justin Bertelle and Aldo Impegduglia. The HAVOC Media Design team included Antonio Reonegro and Tom Lynch.
Bernard Seaman (1913-1989), the artist who created “The Working Brooklyn Waterfront”, spent a lifetime depicting the important work done by men and women who served as the sparkplugs of America’s economic engine. He also produced artwork for union halls in Baltimore, New Orleans and other major cities in addition to serving as the editorial cartoonist for the AFL-CIO News. Mr. Seaman also served as the art director for the International Garment Workers’ Union, the Seafarers’ Union, and the International Union of Electricians.
For additional information, contact Jim McNamara of the ILA at (212) 425-1200 or jmcnamara@ilaunion.org
For more information on “The Working Brooklyn Waterfront” click on the link: www.havocmedia.com.
Brooklyn Mural Rededication Booklet