Co-founder Splits with Centre-fuge Public Art Project After 4 Years

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Pebbles Russell and Jonathan Neville, Co-founders of Centre-fuge

The Centre-fuge Public Art Project just passed another milestone in its life cycle. Last month marked the fourth anniversary for the trailer-based arts installation on East First Street. (We’re currently amidst Cycle 19.)

Now one of its co-founders is leaving the endeavor. Pebbles Russell, who, with Jon Neville, launched Centre-fuge in February of 2012, announced her departure in an email to followers yesterday.

“I never would have dreamed at that initial First Street Block Association meeting or on those first cold days of install in 2012, that the scope of an idea so small and necessary would swell past First Street, across the boroughs and reach as far as Miami,” Russell noted.

“Centre-fuge is a constant reminder of friends – old, new, passed but ever-present,” alluding to the project’s artistic inspiration, late artist Mike Hamm.

Below is more of an excerpt:

Since inception, so much of my heart has been filled by Centre-fuge and its affiliates, neighbors, supporters, artists and friends. But, the time has come for me to step down and take my leave of something I can feel my blood coursing through still. In many ways it is my child and a decision like this has been so very hard to make.  I have confidence that the existing leadership will continue to push the boundaries of community public art and mold Centre-fuge into something else I as yet cannot imagine.

It has been an honor to get to know so many of you through your participation in this project.  Whatever your contribution, I thank you with my whole being and remain forever grateful.  Centre-fuge would not have been the same without you. I am truly humbled.