Students from Amsterdam High School recently participated in a community mural project at the Amsterdam Castle as part of this year’s 518 Day celebration.
The project marked the second consecutive year Amsterdam High School students have participated in the initiative alongside artist Eugene O’Neill, who has now worked with AHS students on multiple public art projects. For some students, this mural represented their third collaboration with O’Neill.
The mural, located on a wall provided by the Amsterdam Castle, highlights the cultural and economic evolution of Amsterdam while celebrating local history and Indigenous symbolism. The project serves as phase one of a larger mural vision that organizers hope to continue expanding through future funding opportunities.
The artwork incorporates several important Haudenosaunee symbols, including the Hiawatha Belt and Circle Wampum.
The Hiawatha Belt represents the unity of the five original nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy — the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Mohawk — who agreed to live in peace after burying their weapons of war. The belt has since become an internationally recognized symbol of unity and peace.
The Circle Wampum symbolizes equality and connection within the Haudenosaunee community. The equal strands represent the 50 chiefs, while the larger strand represents the people, emphasizing unity and collective strength.
The project was funded through the Saratoga Arts Grant and made possible through collaboration with Creative Connections.
“This project gave students an opportunity to connect art with history, culture and community in a meaningful and authentic way,” Amsterdam High School Visual Arts Educator Jessica Lewandowski said. “Seeing students contribute to a public piece that celebrates Amsterdam’s story while also learning about the symbolism and history behind the artwork made this an incredibly valuable experience.”
The mural will remain on display at the Amsterdam Castle as a continuing reflection of Amsterdam’s history, culture and community connections.