Outdoor Art Badge Completed by Rutherford Brownie Troop
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Genesee Orlowicz and Rachel Edmunds
When members of the community chose to work together to support a local Brownie troop, concrete planters were turned into pieces of art and the members of the Brownie troop earned their Outdoor Art Badge. These colorful planters can be found at Memorial Field near the KidSpot playground. This is Rutherford interviewed those who worked together on this project, including their Brownie troop leader, a Board member of the Rutherford Arts Council, two parents who assisted in the process, and some of the Brownies.
TIR: How long have you been this Brownie's troop leader? How often do they work on a new badge?
Carmela Iaria: I’ve had the pleasure of working with these girls for four years. We started the troop when the girls were in Kindergarten and have watched them grow from Daisies to second year Brownies.
The girls are always working towards something: earning a badge, a journey, or sometimes a fun patch! They get to attach all of their badges onto their Brownie vests so that their cumulative scout effort is on permanent display :)
TIR: As an artist, specifically a muralist, how were you able to share your skills with these young girls? Where did the inspiration for the design come from?
Rachel Edmunds (Rachel Edmunds Design): The beauty of working with children is they are open to allowing the creative process to unfold. To be honest, I really didn’t have to share many technical skills as a painter, because the girls were noticeably comfortable and confident artists. I did share a few helpful tips, such as how to address an uneven surface and gave suggestions of how to make the paint stretch across a porous, textured foundation. I encouraged them to use their intuition, when deciding on color placement in order to create the most visual impact. They naturally gravitated to choosing opposite colors on the color wheel, which successfully made each shape pop. As a decorative painter, specifically when painting murals, one aspect of my job is to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. When I take on a project in an outdoor, community setting, it’s important for me to make sure the art pulls from its surroundings and once installed, feels as if it belongs and was always there.
When Genesee received town approval for the planters to be painted, I walked around Kidspot, a playground that I have visited countless times with my children, and was drawn in to the faux stained glass canopies that adorn the top of the playground structures. That’s where I drew my color and design inspiration. In order to preserve the integrity of the concrete, I taped off the shapes to frame each color panel. This will also allow the planters to expel moisture effectively, alongside having used high quality, eco-friendly, breathable, chalk paint. It was truly an honor to be a part of this project and witness the thought, effort, and care each Brownie put into transforming these planters into meaningful works of community art.
TIR: As someone who spends a lot of time down at Memorial Field, how do you think an art project like this will enhance the area?
Sheila Barry: I think this project helped to brighten up Memorial Field and make it an even more welcoming and inviting space for everyone who spends time there. As someone who is down at the fields often, I think it’s a wonderful addition to an area that is already so special to our community. Rachel and Genesee did an amazing job incorporating the colors of the playground into their design, making it both beautiful and fun! I love that the artwork will bring even more color and personality to a place where so many Rutherford families spend their time!
TIR: How did you coordinate with the Borough to help these girls find an outdoor painting project?
Genesee Orlowicz: I reached out to Steve Addeo, who oversees the planters and other areas around town, to explore the possibility of creating an outdoor painting project for the girls. I explained how their design would complement and mimic the panels on the playground, and I shared an image of the concept with him for approval. Steve gave us the go-ahead, provided the design was clean and executed nicely. I’m incredibly impressed with how quickly the girls brought this idea to life. They executed it beautifully, creating something clean, vibrant, and visually appealing that adds so much to that spot. It was wonderful to see their creativity come together in a way that enhances the community.
TIR: Now that the planters are painted, what do you hope the community will notice and remember when they see them?
Carmela Iaria: That every person - no matter how young or old, tall or short :) - can make a positive impact in the community. Beauty can be made and found everyone, and these little girls proved that working together to create and collaborate is fun! And very rewarding.
Sheila Barry: I hope the community sees more than just colorful planters. I hope they recognize the time, creativity, and teamwork that went into making something special for a place we all enjoy. I also hope it serves as a reminder that even our youngest community members can make a difference and take pride in the town they call home. I hope the community sees more than just colorful planters. I hope they recognize the time, creativity, and teamwork that went into making something special for a place we all enjoy. I also hope it serves as a reminder that even our youngest community members can make a difference and take pride in the town they call home.
Rachel Edmunds: Now that the planters have been painted, I’m hoping when people visit Memorial Park, they will be inspired by the beauty around them. My wish is that the newly installed art will help represent and cast a spotlight on the creativity in our community, striking a balance between sports and the other wonderful recreational offerings we have here in town. Perhaps the community will be further inspired to continue beautification efforts in our lovely, little borough and more opportunities will present themselves to help showcase what makes Rutherford so special.
Genesee Orlowicz: I hope the community notices the connection between the planters and the panels on the playground, and sees how beautifully the two complement one another. More importantly, I hope people recognize the pride, effort, and collaboration that went into this project, bringing three organizations together to create something meaningful for the community. I also hope it reminds everyone of how much a little paint and creativity can do to transform a space. Even the simplest form of art can bring beauty, color, and joy to our everyday surroundings. Most of all, I hope this project inspires others to get involved and find their own ways to contribute to the colorful beautification of Rutherford.
TIR: Why do you think it is important for your daughters' to give back to the community as a Brownie?
CI: Being a Girl Scout means belonging to a movement dedicated to building confidence and character to make the world better place. And what better place to make that difference than in their very own town. The playground and fields are a huge part of their lives - and their families” and friends’ lives - so seeing the new art will be a constant reminder that being a good neighbor and taking action for positive change feels good.
SB: I think it’s so important for my daughter to learn that being part of a community means finding ways to give back to it. I want her to understand that even small acts of kindness and service can have a lasting impact. I love that being a Brownie gives her the opportunity to work with her friends, take pride in what she’s accomplished, and see firsthand how her efforts can make a difference.
RE: I believe it’s important for Rosie to give back to our community as a Brownie, to help her foster a greater sense of pride in where she lives and to teach her the value of caring for the place she calls home. I want her to recognize that she has the power to make a meaningful, positive impact in her hometown, with the hope that this sense of responsibility and compassion will extend to the greater world around her.
“I loved working with all my friends to make something colorful and beautiful. It was so cool that the Mayor came too. It felt really fun and important.”
—Stella Payne, age 8
“My favorite part was getting to paint with all my friends and picking out the colors. I think it’s really cool that everyone who goes to the playground will get to see what we made. It makes me happy knowing we helped make the park prettier!” - Delaney Barry, age 8
“I really liked painting with my mom and how everyone was working together supporting each other and being positive. It makes me happy to know I will see the planters when I go to softball, soccer, or just a visit to the playground on a hot, summer day. I hope our paintings will make the little kids inspired to make their own art in our community”.
-Rosie Edmunds, age 8
See the VIDEO about this special project posted by Public Information Officer Kim Bogosian on the Borough of Rutherford YouTube page and social media pages.
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