Deborah Camp Introduces Her New Murals at Harmonious Ceremony
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Mural panel by Deborah Camp.
By Michael Perlman
Historic MacDonald Park in Forest Hills among Queens, “The World’s Borough” is further united by the harmony of diverse people, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and flora among natural wonders, thanks to Deborah Camp, an exceptionally unique muralist who inspires, educates, and beautifies her city daily. On a warm and sunny morning and afternoon of Saturday, June 20, a couple hundred residents from nearby and afar, gathered in the park for a dramatic and uplifting three-hour ceremony, where her six-piece mural, “Forest Hills Planting The Seeds of Tomorrow,” transformed its landscaped circle into a destination.
This empowering, idyllic, and graceful project based on Camp’s themes and artistic ingenuity, revitalized banal mismatched walls with hand-painted Dibond panels in the spirit of a phoenix over a golden horizon. Swaying trees, birds, and squirrels offer a jovial complementary sentiment above each mural wall, as children and pets already began playing alongside each panel. Multigenerational and ethnically diverse residents engaged in dialogue and were proudly photographed.
Last summer, Camp launched a fundraiser, which resulted in significant support by residents, small business owners, and larger organizations across Queens. The journey originated when Stephen Melnick, President of Friends of MacDonald Park, spotted a child’s colorful chalk drawings on the low-rise walls, felt as if a multifaceted artistic opportunity was planted, and brought a vision to fruition by collaborating with Camp, who noticed his Facebook post, inquiring who would be interested. Camp came forward and would later paint her murals off-site and have them installed by the influential firm, Noble Signs. The murals, which are part of a contract through the Parks Department’s “Art in the Parks” program, are also the catalyst for her year-long educational art workshops within the circle.
As a native Woodhaven resident, she would play in MacDonald Park during her childhood, accompanied by her mother Barbara Malament, and admire nature and recreation, and pose alongside trees and the bronze WWI Captain Gerald MacDonald sculpture, and now her dream came true. Besides her pursuits as an artist, each day becomes a sunny opportunity to spread good deeds through her mission as an art educator, humanitarian, animal advocate, mental health advocate, open mic performer and poet, and author of “Musings Diner Open 24/7.”
The grand unveiling ceremony opened with a number of motivational speeches, which reflected the murals’ background and sentiments. Then DJ Nett played music that spanned the genres, including hits such as Marcia Griffiths’ “Electric Slide” and Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente,” and turned the park into a dancefloor, with the sun as a disco ball. Songs of Love Foundation CEO John Beltzer performed several original compositions. Members of the musical theater group Garden Players, coordinated by artistic director, performer, educator, and writer Betina Hershey, performed plays and sang. Attendees snacked up and were well-hydrated, thanks to Trader Joe’s and Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills.
“The journey was 13 months in the making, and is symbolic of not just taking care of the planet, but each other,” said Camp. “You will see that no one has a face in the mural, since it represents you, me, our friends, family, loved ones, and it’s inclusive for everybody to enjoy the park. You will see lots of activities and a lot of magic.” She nicknamed the landscaped area, “The Magical Circle of MacDonald Park,” which can foreshadow an official name. “You make the magic here, as you gather and make new friends and connect with old friends. It is about community, art, and inspiration. It’s a circle of love and inspiration.”
Garden Players performing.
Friends of MacDonald Park, which originated in 2012, revitalized a somewhat neglected park into a hub for routine volunteerism that introduces new trees and flowers, as well as maintains and restores the existing landscape. Melnick, who works tirelessly and also coordinates events, said, “These walls were an eyesore for a long time, so it’s about time we get something brighter. We appreciate all of Deborah’s love, time, and sweat that went into this project. Each mural is at eye level, so children can interact with them. It is not easy going through NYC Park permits and committee meetings. I would like to thank Partnerships For Parks, NYC Parks, our sponsors, and over 200 donors who helped make this project a reality. The nonprofit can be found at the park on Saturdays from 11 AM to 12:30 PM and is open to additional volunteers.
Barbara Malament, who is also an artist and is a single mother to Deborah Camp, explained, “When she was a toddler, she was so fascinated by art, that she drew all over my kitchen walls. The passion for creating art runs in my family. My grandfather, Aronne Tamburini, who we are honoring for his birthday today, was a painter and an artist. My mother Marcella Calogero loved to sketch, draw, and write stories. This inspired Deborah to create art. We financially struggled all of our lives, and are hoping that the doors of opportunity will open for her art career. Today is a very special day for both of us. For the first time in 93 years, MacDonald Park will be brought to life by her six beautiful murals. She wants to bring joy to our park for everyone to be inspired by her work. I am extremely proud of Deborah, and I hope that this dedication will light up smiles on the faces of all of you who have come to enjoy her artwork.”
Forest Hills visionary Larry Ng is the creator of the much-admired “Queens, The World’s Borough” 3D sculpture, which was at the foot of MacDonald Park for a year until mid-March, when it was relocated to Citi Field. He said, “Since there has been art in the park with the Queens sculpture, I am passing the baton to Deborah, who has taken the mantle to create beautiful art for this park again. The children and neighborhood will love it.”
The Forest Hills Asian Association Youth Leadership Council had two speakers, where Sabrina Chau said, “Thanks so much to Deborah and Friends of MacDonald Park. This is such a beautiful mural, and we’re really excited to see what the future will bring.” Chloe Huang continued, “As teenagers, we don’t really get a lot of chances to experience community and spaces like these, so we’re really grateful to see beautification projects that enhance and brighten up our neighborhoods.”
“Congratulations to Deborah on this beautiful event on a beautiful day,” said Associate Branch Manager Ramsy Jimenez of Forest Hills’ landmarked Ridgewood Savings Bank, which signifies a community bank that proudly supports events, causes, and businesses.
“Give it up for Deborah Camp and the wall murals that are soon to be unveiled. Give it up for the sponsors and donors that made this come to fruition,” said Camp’s fiancé David Leifer. Then the mic was handed back to Camp, who extended much gratitude for two inspirations with a birthday in heaven. “My great-grandfather, Aronne Tamburini, was the founding artist in my family, who lived to be 104 years old, and I got to know him and watch him paint when I was a child. It is also Steve Melnick’s mother’s birthday, Ann Melnick, an educator. What is this mural about? Art and education. June 20, a special day to remember, and they’re shining their blessings upon both of us and all of us today.”
Camp then requested volunteers on each side of the murals, but first Larry Ng presented her with a bouquet, which made her feel close to a Disney princess, since her project and support is a dream come true. As a mighty anti-bullying advocate, she passionately said, “I didn’t ever see something like this in the future, since I was bullied a lot as a child and told I wasn’t good enough. I use my art and my writing to help heal, and I want to inspire other children and adults to go for their dream. Nothing can stop you when you’re an unstoppable force. You’re a phoenix rising out of the ashes, and this is what my mural plan is… to bring out that fire inside of each of us, since we all have a gift. If it is not a visual gift, it’s a musical gift, a theatrical gift, a culinary gift… What is something that you love to do that comes easy to you? Go pursue it and share it with others, and you’ll make the biggest splash that you have ever seen in your life. I hope this mural inspires you to find that person inside of you, and celebrate your inner child as well.”
Attendees had a New Year’s Eve style countdown from 10, and as volunteers removed the taped coverings from each mural wall, they belted “Happy Mural!” in a harmonious chorus.
Between the murals, Forest Hills resident and Songs of Love CEO John Beltzer on guitar sang several songs with a band, including a number of his original compositions over the past few years, such as “I Hate My Ego,” “You Are Good For Me,” and “Man of G-D.” The Songs of Love Foundation provides personalized songs in every genre for children, teens, and seniors facing serious medical, physical, and emotional challenges. Songs of Love, referenced as “The Medicine of Music,” originated in Forest Hills, and is in its 30th year. Nearly 50,000 people in need worldwide have received a personalized “song of love.”
“I feel energized by Deborah’s ability to bring together artists, community members, and humanitarian themes in a way that encourages empathy and understanding,” said Betina Hershey, whose band, The Scooches, and her musical theater program, Garden Players, exhibit these identical themes. “It’s important and joyful to use art to strengthen community and foster meaningful dialogue.”
Muralist Deborah Camp & Fiance David Leifer.
Hershey feels excited that Camp is pairing the murals initiative with free community art workshops. “Hopefully this will inspire people to appreciate MacDonald Park as a space for creativity and art.” She feels great synergy with how Camp merges artistic expression with a message of compassion and shared humanity through vibrant color. “Each mural feels bright and full of the joy of being outdoors and in our community with one another. I especially love the chessboard scene, with players running toward it holding upturned magician hats sprouting flowers, as well as the images of tree planting and bike riders. The project may inspire folks to gather, create, and support one another while appreciating shared public spaces.”
Garden Players’ students performed songs from “So Far From Home,” a refugee-themed musical about dragons, martians, ogres, humans, and survivors from Atlantis learning to find new homes and build new communities. This is an original musical by Betina Hershey (lyrics), Sunny Knable (music), and Gwynne Watkins (book). Performers included Garden Players alumni assistant Isaac Buchalter, and students Hypatia, Sophia, Mercena, Maria, Josephine, and Carolina.
“Students also performed improvised theater moments that enlivened the story, exploring what it means to lose a home, face fears of the unknown, welcome each other, and find home away from home,” said Hershey. Songs included “Stories To Tell,” “What If?” “Earth, Meet Mars,” “Open Our Hearts To Change,” “So Far From Home,” “Atlantis,” “You Need A Coconut,” “Story Catcher,” and “Garden Players Song.”
Attendee Dr. Arthur Gudeon, a well-respected local podiatrist and humanitarian, said, “As parkgoers enter and see Deborah’s fantastic murals, I can’t imagine them not smiling, becoming uplifted, and hopefully thinking about the equality of all of us in the community. Her beautiful, creative, imaginative, and brightly colorful artwork makes me feel totally good and uplifted.”
The ceremony inspired groups of friends such as Susan Gould of Forest Hills, Bob Diskin of Forest Hills, Edgar Loja of Ridgewood, and Richard Melrose of Rego Park. Diskin said, “The murals are realistic and use lots of color.” Gould continued, “I like the theme of growing a community, and Deborah certainly shows the planting of the seeds and watering of it.” She compared it to avant-garde Fauve paintings. Then Loja explained, “The artwork is very welcoming and vibrant.” Melrose said, “It is very cheery and sort of reminds me of the 1960s style, and brightens up this whole area.”
Deborah Camp’s art workshops will begin in “The Magical Circle of MacDonald Park” on June 27 at 1 PM. To participate or inquire, email DeborahCamp@hotmail.com
