Lovin’ Niagara: Brook F. D’Angelo [by Mary Leahy]

Everything works better in cities with high levels of citizen involvement. Social scientists tell us that politics are kinder when more people pay attention to government and vote; social problems are diminished when people are close to their neighbors.  Quality of life improves when people support festivals and attend local concerts and shows. Cities look better if people turn out for neighborhood cleanups and park conservancy projects. And when trouble comes – a big local industry closes or a natural disaster strikes – people are far more likely to see things through when they’re involved and invested in the place they live.

From Little Italy to the Old Falls corridor, from Main Street to Hydraulic Park fire hydrants, benches and public parks have burst out in bright color and bold imagery.  Part public art project, part community revitalization strategy, the art has brought increased positive attention to the surrounding areas and businesses.  As a Niagara Falls native with a life-long interest in the creative process, Brook D’Angelo is enthusiastic about these projects, the local artists, and how they enhance the city.  D’Angelo practices what she preaches by sharing her talent; she is pictured above at the corner of Third and Ferry with one of the new, innovative neighborhood art objects.  It is, of course, one that she created.

Thanks to Brook and a dedicated group of young citizens, Niagara Falls is experiencing renewed vibrancy through the arts and neighborhoods are being revitalized.  Brook believes that public art provides an aesthetic element to capital improvements and can create memorable spaces for business and residents.  The eventual outcome will support tourism and enhance economic development.  She is a strong believer in the power of art and the role that it plays in the specific fabric of the community as well as promoting civic pride.  She hopes that the public art pieces can help to bring the community together and contribute to a common experience for people who visit and live in Niagara Falls.

A graduate of NCCC and Buffalo State College with degrees in Public Relations and Marketing, Brook has held several positions in the music and art industries, human services and is a certified wedding planner.  Speaking of weddings, Brook recently became engaged on the Maid of the Mist. She lived on Florida for a while, but returned home in 2003 for family support, economical living costs and her Sicilian grandmother’s cooking.  Growing up, like many others in Niagara Falls, Brook spoke Italian before she spoke English.  Currently employed by the City as a Data Clerk with the SWEET Team, she feels her previous jobs prepared her for this new position where she has fielded calls regarding the new recycling effort that sometimes total 150 per day.  Brook is involved with many other city projects including Dance of the Fireflies, Falls Femme Décor, Pints 4 Progress and Niagara Liberty.  She is also the events coordinator for her favorite restaurant, Wine on Third.

For Brook, street art is the cultural fabric that is woven into the city and can be a method to help increase civic pride.  However, Brook is as passionate about engaging Niagara Falls to be a greener community as she is about art.  They go hand in hand.  She believes the recent changes in the trash regulations have brought neighbors into dialog and that citizens working together for a cleaner, improved city are another opportunity to showcase Niagara Falls.  In short, beautiful interesting cities improve general psychological well-being and are great places to live.  The beauty of the natural wonder of the Falls does attract tourists to the area and cleaner neighborhoods might entice them to return and perhaps relocate.

An enhanced city with art integrated into daily community life should be celebrated by all, whether tourist or resident.  “Public art and clean streets are ways to draw people to an area,” she said.  “They will come to see the art and maybe stay and have dinner or shop.”  Certainly the current projects enhance downtown, but it is porous and will quickly radiate out into the entire city.  She wants the city’s public spaces to reflect the diversity and creativity of the nature wonder and the architectural gems that compose Niagara Falls.  Naysayers will — and have — argued there are more important things to be spending time and resources on than public art.  But D’Angelo believes there are more benefits than one might think. Perception and even public safety can be turned around for the better by the value of public art.

[From education to art, people in Niagara Falls are making fantastic things happen!  “Lovin’ Niagara” is a series of articles by contributor Mary Leahy highlighting some of our outstanding citizens. Do you know someone who you feel should be featured?  Contact us!]