World-renowned muralist Meg Saligman completed a large-scale installation titled “Vantage Point: Our Valley of the Sun,” on the SUNY Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean, NY, Saligman’s hometown.

Work began on the four exterior walls of the college’s Library & Liberal Arts Center on May 18, 2022 and concluded with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 8, 2022 at the mural site.

Saligman, a Philadelphia resident, has produced many notable building installations in the United States and internationally. 

Her landmark “Common Threads” mural in Philadelphia served as the backdrop for a scene from the popular television series “This Is Us” in 2019. Her murals on buildings in Shreveport, Louisiana; Omaha, Nebraska; and Chattanooga, Tennessee, are among the 10 largest murals in the United States. Outside of the U.S., Saligman used her artistic talents to transform a theater in Mexico City, a water tower in Tanzania, and a village gathering site in Ecuador. 

Her latest project has a deeper meaning for Saligman, who has dedicated the installation to her late father, former Olean attorney Don Fish. The community-driven design pays unique homage to the college, as well as the Olean area where she grew up.

Saligman’s design was developed through months of research, interviews with community members, and her own experience growing up in Olean. 

The mural’s name is inspired by poet Robert Lax’s famous work, “Circus of the Sun.” Lax was born and raised in Olean and lived in a house on grounds that are now part of the JCC campus.

In addition to a crew of more than 30 artists, nearly 1,000 community members have contributed to the mural through various summer paint day events.

The mural was dedicated on Oct. 8, 2022, with many area political and community dignitaries in attendance.

“We know we should give our time, resources, and energy to that we live,” Saligman said during the ceremony. "To food. To healthcare. To problems. But perhaps art helps us answer or contemplate why we live, which is truly important for a healthy community. One thing that I’ve found has power is when people gather together and make stuff with their hands. That is what we did with this project.”

The “Heart of Olean Mural” project was a collaboration with JCC, Tri-County Arts Council, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, and various sponsors and donors.