Riverhead Correctional Facility Unveils New Mural

Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office

The Riverhead Correctional Facility held a special unveiling ceremony on Thursday for its new “Splashes of Hope” mural inside the jail, which was painted by incarcerated youth under the guidance of master muralist, Kirk Larsen.

The project was funded and sponsored by “Splashes of Hope”, a Huntington-based non-profit organization, and made possible through the generous donation of Theresa Santmann of Babylon, New York. Santmann, who is also the Vice President of the organization’s Executive Board, had previously sponsored four mural panels in the jail’s Visiting Room.

The mural was painted over five weeks during the months of September and October. Over the course of the project, participants in the Sheriff’s Youth Tier Initiative received both classroom and hands on instruction in the art of mural painting. Larsen, a lecturer at the Parsons New School in New York City, worked with the incarcerated youth several days a week to produce the massive eighty-five foot mural in the jail’s main corridor.

The mural depicts soothing scenes of nature and water, as well as a bridge which is meant to evoke a sense of passage to brighter times. More than 15 male youth worked on the project. A second phase, which will begin in the coming months, will include young incarcerated women.

The unveiling was attended by Splashes of Hope’s Director of Operations and Muralist, Diana Fogarty, the artist, Kirk Larsen, Theresa Santmann, the project’s sponsor, several of the incarcerated youth who worked on the projects, and members of Sheriff DeMarco’s staff.

Sheriff DeMarco praised the organization and thanked everyone at Splashes of Hope for their continued support, “I am touched by Ms. Santmann’s generosity and I thank everyone at Splashes of Hope for making this project a success. It undoubtedly left an impression on the youth who participated by imparting some confidence and helping them to realize their talents. It also brightened up the hallway for our staff, and presents a positive image for all of the inmates who come through the facility.”